Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. They are doing very important work. The opening statements underline the fact that so much to do with criminal justice and the prison system is tied into poverty and disadvantage. In many respects not that much has changed since statistics were produced in 1997, which are now 25 years old. Perhaps some things have changed but not that much has changed.

It occurs to me that we have very stringent and restrictive spent convictions legislation that potentially has implications for prisoners after they leave prison and are applying for jobs. Are there challenges in motivating prisoners to take up courses if they are concerned that no matter what they do they will not be able to find a job at the other end? Is it in fact the case that people are very taken with the opportunity that exists in the prison system, whereby they have time to gain skills and turn their lives around? Where do issues with motivation sit?