Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 108: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the skills programmes that have been put in place in prisons to enhance employment prospects for prisoners on release in line with An Agreed Programme for Government between Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats 2002. [13192/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Irish Prison Service places strong emphasis on the provision of vocational training for prisoners. Training activities are chosen to give as much employment as possible for those in prison and to give opportunities to acquire skills which will help them secure employment on their release. The Work and Training programme covers the services necessary for the smooth operation of the prison such as catering and laundry, as well as workshops covering metalwork, printing, computers, Braille, woodwork, construction, clothing manufacture, craft, farming, horticulture, indexing, painting and decorating, upholstery, baking, electronics etc. The programme provides work and training opportunities for prisoners whilst ensuring a high quality of service delivery within the prison. Where appropriate, training is arranged outside the prison environment with external providers and community organisations such as PACE. In this way courses which cannot be made available within the prisons, such as heavy goods vehicle licence courses, can be undertaken by prisoners prior to release giving them the skills to move directly into employment on release. Community assistance programmes and community project work are also carried out.

The Proposal for Organisational Change agreed with the Prison Officers Association provides for a significant shift of resources into vocational training programmes. This involves the provision of dedicated new staffing and funding for the expansion of work training in the prison system, which will result in an increase in the number of authorised work training staff posts from c. 215 to c. 250. Since the conclusion of the Agreement, progress has been made in filling Industrial Manager and Industrial Supervisor posts. Competitions are also ongoing to complete the complement of work and training personnel in all institutions.

During 2006, new workshops and activities were developed in a number of institutions and a refurbishment and equipment replacement programme was implemented in other workshops. Approximately €2m was spent in 2006 on structural works on the kitchens and laundries in a number of institutions which will facilitate the delivery of accredited training to prisoners.

E-College, a FÁS distance learning delivery programme has been piloted in the Training Unit and is currently being extended to St Patrick's Institution. STEPS, a group motivational developmental programme, has been run for a second time in Wheatfield prison. BREAKTHROUGH, another group motivational programme, has recently been delivered in St Patrick's Institution. A three year national apprenticeship professional cookery course commenced in Castlerea Prison in January 2007.

€250,000 has been secured from the Dormant Accounts Fund in 2006 for employability support projects. Under this initiative, two Business in the Community Ireland (BITC) Training and Employment Officers (TEO) will provide full-time information and career guidance and a dedicated training, education and employment placement service to prisoners in the Mountjoy and Midlands campuses. The two TEOs will take up their positions shortly. An EQUAL project is also being funded to develop a self-employment programme which will equip prisoners with the necessary information and skills to set up their own business.