Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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48. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality whether his Department has considered the impact on victims of crime by those who are convicted by reason of insanity, in that they are not made aware of the person's release from incarceration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36676/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has no involvement in the processes for victims of people detained following a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. The Central Mental Hospital (CMH) is a designated centre run by the HSE under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006 and is part of the National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS), which provides a range of forensic mental health services to its patients.

I understand that if a victim wishes to receive information about a patient detained in the CMH in relation to an offence against them, they may register with the NFMHS Victim Liaison Officer. More information in relation to that service and how to register is available from National Forensic Mental Health Service and on: www.gov.ie/en/victims-charter/publications/national-forensic-mental-health-service/

The Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 sets out the supports afforded to victims of crime by relevant agencies and authorities including the Clinical Director of a designated centre such as the CMH. In accordance with the 2017 Act, registered victims are notified by the CMH of certain information relating to the temporary release of a patient. However, under the provisions of the 2017 Act, the Clinical Director may also make a decision not to provide information in respect of a patient and, as the Deputy will appreciate, that is a matter for the Director and neither I nor my officials can comment on that.