Vol. 420 No. 3
119 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Health if, in light of the increasing number of child abuse cases currently being reported, he will outline any specific plans he has to provide counselling for the perpetrators of these crimes, and if he will provide a timetable for the implementation of these reforms.
Specialist conselling services for perpetrators of child sex abuse are available at the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum and at Usher's Island, Dublin and are administered by the Eastern Health Board. Counselling services for adolescent abusers are also provided at the Children's Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin.
The programmes in operation at the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum and Usher's Island have been developed as part of a National Forensic Service developed by the Eastern Health Board and referrals to these programmes are taken from all health board areas. The programmes are run by multi-disciplinary teams of health professionals and are aimed at helping the abusers examine their offending behaviour, their sexuality and the victim experience.
