Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the importance of the point Deputy Chambers has made. I believe the Irish Prison Service, in conjunction with the private sector and with some public sector agencies, is always looking to what might be regarded as best practice in terms of ensuring the provision of aftercare for prisoners and that before they are released from prison, they are encouraged to engage in possible integration programmes. There is a challenge as far as housing and employment are concerned, but various voluntary agencies and agencies in the private sector provide funding in order to ensure that prisoners are prepared for a return to the community. I do not have the figures for the prisoners who have benefitted from those programmes but I would be happy to provide that information to the Deputy.