Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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Question 603: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the procedures that are in place for establishing accommodation facilities for prisoners leaving prison after they have served their term and who have no permanent residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1522/11]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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In recent years, in addition to the direct work of probation officers in regard to accommodation issues, a weekly clinic service has been provided in ten prisons by the Health Service Executive (HSE) Community Welfare Service through the Homeless Person's Unit (HPU). Referrals to this service generally are at the pre-release stage and emergency and other accommodation options, supplementary benefits and fast tracked medical cards are arranged by the Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) who provide the information and clinic services. There were 700 prisoners assisted by the CWOs in 2008, 759 in 2009, and 939 in 2010. There is no breakdown available as to the number who were facilitated into accommodation as opposed to receiving other support services.

Focus Ireland operates a pilot homeless service in Cloverhill Prison which provides a case management and pre-settlement service for remand prisoners. The service supports participants in accessing appropriate services and accommodation on the pathway to independent living. The project is supported by the IPS, the Probation Service and the HSE. By the end of 2008, 68 prisoners had benefited from the service since its establishment in September 2007. A further 25 prisoners used the service in 2009. However figures for 2010 are not yet available but will be forwarded to the Deputy when they become available.

Additionally, the Probation Service funds a number of community based organisations in this area. PACE supports people through the transition from prison and an offending background into the community and to break the cycle of offending. PACE residential services provide supported accommodation on a short term basis for 22 homeless males leaving prison. There are 14 high support places and 8 transitional low support places. PACE also provides low support long term accommodation to a further seven people from offending backgrounds. The specific number of clients PACE residential services worked with over the last three years is: 60, 64, and 58 to September 2010. The PACE training and education programme can accommodate 40 trainees at any one time. The specific number of clients who engaged with the programme over the last three years is: 102, 87, and 90 to September 2010.

In addition to the funding of PACE the Probation Service provides financial assistance to support the effective resettlement of female offenders (Tús Nua) and high risk offenders (New Directions).

The IPS secured €250,000 in Dormant Accounts funding for the provision of homelessness support services to prisoners in Cork and Limerick prisons. This service is provided by Focus Ireland and commenced in the summer of 2009. By the end of 2010, there had been 90 referrals to the service and the two project workers engaged with 59 clients during that year.

In support of the development of homeless services for prisoners/offenders both the Probation Service and Irish Prison Service are represented on the recently established Regional Homeless Consultative Fora.