Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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Question 431: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on literacy policies in our prison service; the penal institutions that currently have formal literacy policies; the engagement he has with the Department of Education and Skills in terms of drafting, formulating and the supervision of literacy and education policies in our prison system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34052/11]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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Question 450: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the various literacy policies available in our prison service; the penal institutions that have formal literacy policies; the engagement he has with the Department of Education and Skills in formulating and supervising literacy and education programmes in our penal system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34453/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 431 and 450 together.

Prison educational services are available in all institutions and are provided in partnership with the Vocational Education Committees (VECs) and a range of other educational agencies. Broad programmes of education are provided which generally follow an adult education approach. The Department of Education and Skills provide an allocation of 220 whole-time teacher equivalents through the VECs. Other agencies also contribute including the Open University and the Arts Council.

Literacy work is an important element of the prison education curriculum. The literacy curriculum concentrates on the needs of the individual and aims to improve self-esteem and build confidence.

It is unfortunately the case that a significant number of prisoners have virtually no literacy skills. More than twice as many prisoners are at the lowest level compared with the general population with 52% of prisoners at Level 1 or Pre-Level 1 literacy levels. These were the key findings of a survey carried out in 2003 which was reported in the Irish Prison Service publication entitled "The Prison Adult Literacy Survey - Results and Implications".

The Deputy will also be aware that the Inspector of Prisons recommended in his 2010 Annual Report that an independent audit be commissioned by the Irish Prison Service examining the type of education being provided, the relevance of such education, the numbers being educated and the value for money being provided. This audit is currently under way and focuses, among other things, on the capacity, range, level and type of education provision (including adult basic education), on participation levels, and on ways in which demand for education can be further developed and met. When the review is completed, the findings will be assessed in conjunction with the Department of Education and Skills and the relevant VECs with a view to early implementation of the recommendations.