Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Caron McCaffrey, director general, and Mr. Fergal Black, director of care and rehabilitation, Irish Prison Service, and Mr. Stephen O'Connor, organiser, City of Dublin Education and Training Board educational service to prisons, Mountjoy Prison, and Ms Lorraine Higgins, assistant principal, Cork Education and Training Board education service to prisons, both representing Education and Training Boards Ireland.

The witnesses are here today to discuss the Ireland Prison Education Strategy 2019-2022. The format of the meeting is that I will invite Ms McCaffrey to make a brief opening statement and she will be followed by Mr. O'Connor. This will be followed by questions from members of the committee. Each member has a five-minute slot to ask their questions and for the witnesses to respond. As our guests are probably aware, the committee will publish the opening statement on its website following the meeting.

Before we begin, I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against a person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that may be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if a witness's statement is potentially defamatory with regard to an identified person or entity, he or she will be directed by the chair to discontinue his or her remarks. It is imperative that witnesses comply with any such direction.

The Joint Committee on Autism meeting is clashing with this meeting and we are missing at least three or four members as a result. It is hoped we will be joined by more.

Ms McCaffrey may begin. She will be followed by Mr. O'Connor.