€20m spent on child abuse groups

OVER €20 million of taxpayers’ money has been spent funding organisations set up to help those who suffered abuse in residential institutions.

According to the Department of Health and Children, 11 organisations dealing with abuse victims received €20.5 million in the past three years.

The biggest beneficiary is the National Counselling Service which receives €6 million a year. The organisation, set up in 2000 to provide counselling to any adult who experienced abuse in childhood, has so far received a total of €18 million.