The country's 26 Catholic
dioceses are to fund half the cost of the Church's annual counselling
bill for those abused as children by its personnel.
The hierarchy have promised to increase their contribution to an
enhanced service by approximately €1.5 million over the next five years.
Until now, the service 'Faoiseamh', has been supported primarily by
religious orders and congregations, some of which ran industrial
schools.
The commitment to the new service, called 'Towards Healing', is
contained in a statement by Cardinal Seán Brady which accompanied the
bishops' Pastoral letter on abuse released Saturday evening.