To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the amount of money to provide counselling and support to families bereaved by suicide (i) expended in the last financial year; and (ii) allocated for the next financial year; and whether this money in each of the parliamentary constituencies was provided through (a) statutory provision; or (b) voluntary provision.

The table below outlines the Community Support Package funding allocated in the 2007/08 year by Health and Social Services Boards in relation to counselling and support for bereaved families. This information shows voluntary and statutory provision and is only available by Board area. It is not possible at present to provide information on allocations for the next financial year as the Boards are currently finalising funding arrangements for 2008/09.

Health and Social Services Boards also fund a range of organisations and projects delivering counselling and support services generally. These services can include counselling and support for families bereaved by suicide but are not targeted specifically at this group of people.