James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The provision of education and training is key to reducing recidivism. The Prison Service provides supports and services, from basic literacy and numeracy education right up to third-level qualifications. The provision of education in prisons is delivered in partnership with the ETBs. I assure Deputy Tully that at all times prison education seeks to deliver relevant programmes that ensure broad access and high participation. The education staff in prisons are particularly vigilant in identifying individual education needs. They discuss each prisoner's needs with them on application to the school, including their literacy levels and any additional supports that are required.

To meet the needs of the increasing number of people in custody, the Prison Service's psychology service has enhanced its model of care to provide greater breadth of provision through group work and workshops for people with disabilities or neurodiversity. The focus is on supporting people through talk therapy in relation to mood and anxiety difficulties, personality difficulties, post-traumatic stress disorder, self-harm, suicidal behaviour, eating disorders, psychosis, schizophrenia, and addiction. Staff also assess, diagnose and work with people with developmental disorders, including intellectual difficulties, cognitive decline and traumatic brain injuries.

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