The function of the Review Board is to review the detention of patients in the designated centre under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. The Central Mental Hospital (National Forensic Mental Health Service) Portrane, Co. Dublin is the designated centre under the Act. The detention of patients who have been referred to designated centres arising from a decision by the Courts that they are unfit to stand trial or, having been found not guilty of an offence by reason of insanity, is reviewed by the Board. The Board is also responsible for reviewing the detention of prisoners, including military prisoners, who have been transferred to designated centres suffering from mental disorders.

In 2024, there was an increase in the number of review hearings held, by comparison with the previous year. The Board held 208 reviews compared with 187 in 2023, reviewing the detention of 101 patients. Of the 101 patients whose detention was reviewed, six were granted a conditional discharge. Five patients were granted a conditional discharge in 2023, out of a total of 88, who had their detention reviewed that year. There was one application for an amendment to a conditional discharge, and this was refused by the Board. Also in 2024, the Board progressed to holding 43rd and 44th reviews into the detention of some patients.