Written answers

Thursday, 30 May 2013

Department of Justice and Equality

Prison Education Service

Photo of Ciarán LynchCiarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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202. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the allocations within the education subhead of the prison vote to each of the following areas of education in 2013: the education unit in each prison, each public library service involved in prisons, the Open University, the National College of Art and Design, Arts Council projects in prison, the Alternative to Violence Project and post-release educational support for prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26327/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The allocations within the education subhead of the prison vote to each of the following areas of education in 2013 are as follows:

Education Unit in each Prison
2013
Arbour Hill
    23,000
Castlerea
    51,000
Cloverhill
    29,000
Cork
    40,000
Dóchas
    38,000
Limerick
    49,000
Loughan Hse
    31,000
Midlands
    90,000
Mountjoy
    55,000
Portlaoise
    60,000
Shelton Abbey
    28,000
St.Patrick's
    52,000
Training Unit
    21,000
Wheatfield
    80,000
TOTAL
  647,000

Teacher's salaries are funded by the Department of Education and Skills who currently provide an allocation of 220 whole-time teacher equivalents to the prisons through the VECs.

LIBRARIES  2013
Salaries
Stock
(Fixed Cost)
Dublin Prison Libraries
                156,824
Midlands
Vacancy
Portlaoise
Vacancy
Castlerea
Vacancy
Limerick
Vacancy
Shelton
                  10,000
Loughan
                    8,158
Cork
                         -  
TOTALS
                174,982
            48,675
ALL COSTS LIBRARY
           223,657

The Librarian salary costs are fixed as set out in the table, the final allocation in respect of library stock will be available following a review of library service provision in each prison.

-
2013
HOPE Project, Cork
    17,000
Dillons Cross
    10,000
Alternatives to Violence
     7,000
National College of Art & Design
          -  
ARTS Council
    23,000
Open University
  100,000

Education Units in prisons are involved in the development and implementation of a wide variety of courses catering for the needs and interests of prisoners. While Open University courses represent the higher end of academic achievement in prisons, the majority of courses on offer lead to certification, mainly State examinations or FETAC accreditation.

The allocation for the Open University is € 100,000, this is a demand led service subject to a uniform application procedure with associated guidelines where prisoners demonstrate by proven academic ability that they can complete a third level course of study.

Photo of Ciarán LynchCiarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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203. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners actively following a course with the Open University at the present time, in each institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26328/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Education Unit in each of the prisons offers a broad and flexible programme of education to prisoners, ranging from basic literacy classes to Open University courses. With regard to Open University, there is a uniform application procedure with associated guidelines and prisoners must demonstrate the proven academic ability required to complete a third level course of study, prior to funding being approved.

Education Units in prisons are involved in the development and implementation of a wide variety of courses catering for the needs and interests of prisoners. While Open University courses represent the higher end of academic achievement in prisons, the majority of courses on offer lead to certification, mainly State examinations or FETAC accreditation.

The number of prisoners actively following a course with the Open University at the present time, in total and in each institution is set out in the table under.

Open University
2013
Arbour Hill
          12
Castlerea
            6
Cloverhill
          -  
Cork
            1
Dóchas
            3
Limerick
          -  
Loughan Hse
            1
Midlands
          11
Mountjoy
          -  
Portlaoise
            5
Shelton Abbey
            1
St.Patrick's
          -  
Training Unit
            3
Wheatfield
            6
TOTAL
          49

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