James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I absolutely agree. There has not always been a recognition of that in the past but now there is an understanding that people need those kinds of supports. Often people end up in prison because of a lack of support services when they were younger. When I visited Cork Prison the high number of inmates with undiagnosed dyslexia was really notable. That led to people leaving school at an early age, getting involved in other activities and, unfortunately, committing crimes. Identifying those kinds of issues right across the prison system is hugely important.

I have visited almost every prison at this stage, with only a small number yet to visit. Such visits are very informative. It is very useful to meet the prison staff but also to meet the prisoners and the support staff out in the community. Fantastic work is done at Loughan House, for example, which I was delighted to visit it. Deputy Kenny and I are on the same page on these issues. There has been under-investment in the past and a lack of recognition of the need for these supports. However, that recognition is there now and I assure the Deputy that the I and my ministerial colleagues and our officials are very much focused on it.

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