The number of people who died by suicide in Ireland rose by 3% last year, it emerged today.
A total of 457 people took their own lives in 2004 – 356 men and 101 women - according to the Annual Report of the National Suicide Review Group.
Irish Association of Suicidology President Dan Neville criticised the lack of resources available for suicide prevention and insisted the new National Office for Suicide Prevention must be funded to a level which could make real change.
“This latest report makes for grim and distressing reading, especially in that it shows that there has been no serious reduction in suicide rates since the publication of the recommendations of the National Taskforce on Suicide in 1998,” the Fine Gael Deputy Health Spokesperson said.
“Analysis of suicides between 1998 and 2002 shows the average annual number of suicides was 490.
“It also shows that the rate of death by suicide is 4.5 times higher for men than women.
“Tragically, 22% of the people who took their own lives in this period were aged between 15 and 24.”
Mr Neville said this was the last report of the National Suicide Review Group, as it will be replaced by the National Office for Suicide Prevention.
“It is extremely disappointing that the group was never financed in a way that could bring real change and it is vital that the new body is funded to a level that can make a real difference to dealing with suicide and attempted suicide,” the Limerick West TD said.
“Funding for suicide to date has been a pittance in relation to the great need which is out there.
“I will be calling on the Government in the Dail next week to clarify the role of the National Office for Suicide Prevention as what is more certain than ever is the urgency of real, comprehensive, professional and resourced input into suicide prevention in Ireland.”