Written answers

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

Department of Justice and Equality

Irish Prison Service

Photo of Eamonn MaloneyEamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

378. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date by the Irish Prison Service in targeting the problem of homelessness among women; if he will provide a list of the agencies with which the Irish Prison Service has co-operated to this end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53003/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wish to inform the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service is represented on the Cross Departmental Team on Homelessness and the National Housing Consultative Committee on Homelessness (NHCC). The CDT and NHCC comprise a range of government and non-government bodies working towards better joined up services on homelessness and the implementation of the National Homeless Strategy. The Irish Prison Service is also represented on seven of the Regional Homeless Consultative Fora established under the provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act, 2009. Through these fora, the Irish Prison Service, in partnership with the Probation Service, has been working to ensure that the unique circumstances of homeless offenders are taken into account in the development and provision of preventative and other supporting actions for persons who are vulnerable to homelessness.

With regard to women prisoners specifically, in recent years, in addition to the direct work of probation officers on accommodation issues, a weekly clinic service has been provided in the Dóchas Centre by the Department of Social Protection Community Welfare Service through the Homeless Person's Unit (HPU). This service is co-funded by the Irish Prison Service, the Probation Service, the Department of Social Protection and four local authorities. Referrals to this service generally are at the pre-release stage and emergency and other accommodation options, supplementary benefits and fast tracked medical cards are arranged by the Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) who provide the information and clinic services. There were 241 female prisoners assisted by the HPU in-reach (CWOs) in Dóchas Centre in 2012. These 241 prisoners account for 1,138 interactions with this service. The HPU service is invaluable for the successful resettlement of offenders and a vital component of pre-release planning. Focus Ireland operates a homeless in-reach service in Limerick Prison, which also accommodates female prisoners. The Focus Ireland service provides a case management and pre-settlement service for prisoners. The service supports participants in accessing appropriate services and accommodation on the pathway to independent living.

In addition I would like to inform the Deputy that as part of the Irish Prison Service’s Strategic Plan, 2012-2015, the Service has committed itself to work in partnership with the Probation Service and other stakeholders in the statutory, community and voluntary sectors which include Dublin City Council, the Office of Public Works, the Health Service Executive and City of Dublin Education & Training Board in order to develop a strategy for dealing with women offenders and to put in place a targeted response in relation to homelessness for these women. The engagement between the Irish Prison Service and these agencies to date, has in part, concentrated on the provision of a Centre in the greater Dublin area which would target women with specific needs and would provide:

- Supported accommodation,

- Intensive case management (temporary and long term),

- Specialist addiction and mental health support, with primary care teams, and

- Day services with drop in and structured programmes, including training and educational programmes.
Priority access will be given for women from the Dóchas Centre.

In relation to the development of a centre for women, the Irish Prison Service are working with the following:

Strategic Partners:

Dublin Region Homeless Executive

Health Service Executive

The Probation Service

City of Dublin Education & Training Board

Operational Group:

The Probation Service

Dublin City Council

City of Dublin Education & Training Board

Novas Initiatives

Depaul Ireland

Heath Service Executive

Department of Social Protection

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.