Vol. 508 No. 1
738 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the proposed group programme to treat sex offenders at the Curragh place of detention will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17282/99]
The probation and welfare service and the psychology service of my Department are recruiting extra staff at present. It is intended that the Curragh place of detention will have priority in the allocation of resources to enable the introduction of a dedicated sex offender group treatment programme in the prison, similar to the programme which has been operating successfully in Arbour Hill for a number of years. I had hoped that it might be possible to have a programme in place this year. However the absence of generic psychological services in the Curragh Prison will, in all likelihood, delay the establishment of a full programme until next year.
I have instructed the newly appointed Director General of the Irish Prison Service to ensure that the treatment of sex offenders throughout the prison system is given priority attention. In the meantime, all convicted sex offenders, regardless of the institution in which they are housed, are invited to take part in the dedicated sex offender group treatment programme in Arbour Hill Prison.
