Ms Deirdre Malone:

Senator Ruane asked about the role of the education system within prisons. It is really important to note how highly prisoners speak of teachers who come into prisons. They are people who see them as students for the first time, rather than prisoners or ex-offenders.

They honour aspiration. They do not focus on what a person has done. They focus on what a person would like to do and can do. Changes are needed in resources and budget. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission noted in a recent submission to one of the UN bodies that, between 2013 and 2017, the education budget in the Irish Prison Service was reduced. Staffing shortages also resulted in a reduction of school hours.

The IPS needs sufficient funding to ensure education is open to as many in the prison system as possible. It is also important that employers go into prisons and see the skills and interest there. This is a model-well known in the UK. The Timpson brand, which does key cutting and shoe repairs, has a model of employing ex-prisoners. It makes sure they have training and education in prison and that there is a job waiting for them. Prisoners are welcomed out from prison into a job and a new life. There is continuing support for accommodation for people when they come out and continue education.

Senator Ruane asked about spent convictions legislation. This is legislation that, in limited circumstances, provides for wiping the slate clean. After a seven-year period convictions do not have to be declared. However, it is not reaching the groups that we know. It is limited and it is a long period. A person with convictions at 18 or 19 will have to wait until he or she is 26, 27 or 28 before starting again with an employer. There is an opportunity here for a post-enactment review of the legislation at least to remove or reduce that barrier or the amount of time for people. It is a practical thing that could be done. We have seen people come up against this repeatedly when they have done amazing work within the prison system. Then they come out and they are disillusioned with having to start again.