Vol. 511 No. 3
62 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the proposed treatment programme for sex offenders in the Curragh Prison will come into operation; the reason for the delay in introducing the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24316/99]
I had hoped that it would be possible to have a dedicated sex offender group treatment programme in place in the Curragh place of detention this year. However, the absence of generic psychological services there will delay the establishment of a full programme until next year. 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 have instructed the director general of the Irish Prison Service to ensure the treatment of sex offenders throughout the prison system is given priority attention. In the meantime, all convicted sex offenders, are invited to avail of the dedicated sex offender group treatment programme in Arbour Hill prison regardless of the institution in which they are detained.
