Almost €1 million which had been lying in dormant bank accounts has been allocated by the Government to groups working in the area of suicide prevention.
The money will be divided among 20 projects across the State in an attempt to reduce the high level of suicide, particularly among young men.
Suicide claimed 431 lives in the Republic last year, more than were killed on the roads.
The key objective of the funding announced yesterday - which comes from bank and post office accounts not used for at least 15 years - is to support and strengthen community-based suicide prevention initiatives, particularly, although not exclusively, those targeting men under 35 years.
The projects approved are varied and include the provision of early intervention measures for those at risk and also the provision of services for those bereaved through suicide.
Tim O'Malley, the Minister of State for Health with special responsibility for mental health, said reducing the rate of suicide was urgent.
The largest chunk of the funding, some €84,264, goes to Finn Valley Alliance for Positive Mental Health in Co Donegal to recruit a co-ordinator to work with students and teachers locally on suicide prevention and awareness issues.
Meanwhile €77,500 goes to Console to provide counselling and support to those bereaved by suicide in the Clondalkin area of Dublin; €73,290 goes to Kerry Adolescent Counselling Service to implement a suicide-prevention programme for second-level students in remote areas of Co Kerry; and €73,700 has been allocated to STEER Ireland in Co Donegal to develop a recovery programme for those at risk of suicide as well as for bereaved families.
The other projects which received funding are Rehabcare, Dublin 4, €73,040; Blue Drum, the Arts Specialist Support Agency, Dublin 17, €56,945; Roscommon Lions Club, €55,600; Families of Beara Support Group, Co Cork, €55,540; Limerick Mental Health Association, €50,000; Community Creations, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, €50,000; Living Life Voluntary Counselling Centre Ltd, Co Wicklow, €49,500; Awareness Education Office, Dublin 7, €46,000; County Wexford Partnership, €45,000; Smashing Times Theatre Company, Dublin 7, €40,600; Ballymun Arts and Community Resource Centre, Dublin 9, €40,200; National Learning Network, Co Cork, €37,620; Dundalk Counselling Service, Co Louth, €34,320; TEAM Educational Theatre Company, Dublin 1, €27,470; Suicide Network, Ballymun, €16,300; and Forever Fathers, Co Donegal, €13,000.