Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 361: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of persons in prison here for sexual offences; the numbers who have or are undergoing treatment relating to their offence; the cost of this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37908/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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On 15 September 2010 there were 327 persons in custody with convictions for sexual offences. Of that total 90 have been or are engaged with the Psychology Service of the Irish Prison Service in relation to their sexual offending.

Research indicates that there is no evidence to support the idea that mandatory attendance, or indeed attendance achieved under threat of punishment, at rehabilitation programmes is of any value in reducing re-offending. Incentives to encourage voluntary participation offer a greater chance of success. On the contrary, all indications are that rehabilitation does not work unless the offender is motivated to engage with the process.

The successful completion of any group treatment course depends critically on the full and willing participation of self-motivated individuals. Otherwise, the elements of the programme concerned with challenging the offender to take responsibility for his offending behaviour will not succeed.

The "Building Better Lives" programme commenced in January 2009, replacing the Sex Offender Programme initiated in 1994 and concluded in 2008. The programme comprises group interventions in three modules and is delivered in Arbour Hill Prison. It allows more responsive and flexible delivery of rehabilitation services to a greater number of offenders. The interventions take greater account of individual risk, needs and capacity. Priority is given to higher risk offenders. The programme is provided by a team of psychologists, including clinical and counselling psychologists, who have developed specific expertise in clinical practice including assessment and therapeutic work with men convicted of sexual offences. Not all sex offenders are suited to group programmes therefore other prison-based therapeutic interventions including one-to-one interventions are available.

Sex offenders also participate in other group programmes not specifically designed for sex offenders but addressing their needs, including stress management, anger management and cognitive skills training, as well as interventions by visiting psychiatrists.

Because the Psychology Service provide a range of interventions to all categories of prisoners, it is not possible to disaggregate, with any degree of accuracy, the costs element that relates solely to the treatment of prisoners with a sexual offending profile.