Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Sorry I was a little bit late but I read the briefing coming up the road. I have done bits of work in the Dóchas prison in my role with the National Traveller Women's Forum. We know the Traveller community makes up 1% of the general population and 10% of the prison population; 15% of women in prison are members of the Traveller community.

We have to look at the root causes of this. It is a big problem in our justice system.

It is important to see education in our prisons. I am curious about the celebration of Traveller Pride. Will the witnesses speak about the work done on this? It was mentioned in the briefing. I ask the witnesses to elaborate on it. Do the prisoners come up with their own education programmes? Do they have any say in the matter? Are they involved in education in prison? We say "nothing about us without us" and it is the same for prisoners. Are they involved in decision-making on education in prison?

We see a lot of poor people in prison. We see a lot of people from ethnic minority groups in our prisons unfortunately. Do the witnesses have hard figures on how many people are successful after they complete a course and get a certificate? When they come out of prison do they go on to jobs and employment? How does this work for people? Is it difficult for them? The Chair had a similar question on the success rate of people not going back into prison and not reoffending. We know it is a big issue for people with addiction. Many mothers are in prison. Are there courses for mothers and children? Is there a way classes could be used to bring in the children and make them part of it? If we know better we go on to do better. Is this type of education in the prison system?