Written answers
Thursday, 26 February 2015
Department of Justice and Equality
Prison Education Service
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
142. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of workshop and work-training posts that are vacant in each prison; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8623/15]
Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I can inform the Deputy that the following table shows the existing vacancies for workshop and work training posts in each Prison.
| Prison | Total number of posts | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Arbour Hill | 12 | 0 |
| Castlerea | 26 | 0 |
| Cloverhill | 27 | 0 |
| Cork | 23 | 1 |
| Dóchas | 12 | 0 |
| Limerick | 24 | 2 |
| Loughan House | 11 | 0 |
| Midlands | 67 | 5 |
| Mountjoy | 48 | 4 |
| Portlaoise | 27 | 0 |
| Shelton Abbey | 11 | 0 |
| St. Patrick's Institution | 25 | 0 |
| Training Unit | 7 | 0 |
| Wheatfield | 58 | 1 |
All vacancies are in the process of being filled from a current Work Training Officer panel.
The Irish Prison Service places a strong emphasis on improving prisoners' employability prospects through work training activities and accredited vocational training courses.
A wide range of training workshops operate within the institutions e.g. printing, computers, braille, woodwork, metalwork, construction, industrial cleaning, crafts and horticulture. There are over 100 workshops and service activities across the prison estate. In November 2014, the latest month for which statistics are available, an average of 1,076 prisoners engaged in these vocational training activities and courses each day - 26% of the average prison population in that month.
The Irish Prison Service has also been expanding the number of accredited courses and opportunities available to prisoners in Work Training in recent years. Enhanced partnership arrangements with accrediting bodies such as City and Guilds, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), and the Guild of Launderers and Cleaners and the centralising of coordination and quality assurance arrangements have enabled us to extend the number of available courses and activities with certification.
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
143. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of hours the library in each prison is scheduled to open each week; the percentage of scheduled opening times the libraries were actually open during 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8624/15]
Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The number of hours the library in each prison is scheduled to be open is set out in the table. The libraries for Arbour Hill, Dóchas, Mountjoy and the Training Unit are open as the demand requires.
| Scheduled Opening Hours (per week) | % hours open January - December 2013 | |
|---|---|---|
| Arbour Hill | On demand | As required |
| Castlerea | 32 | 100 |
| Cloverhill | 35.5 | 44 |
| Cork | 37.5 | 83 |
| Dóchas | On demand | As required |
| Limerick | 20 | 50 |
| Loughan House | 7 | 100 |
| Midlands | 25 | 95 |
| Mountjoy | On demand | As required |
| Portlaoise C Block | 77 | 99 |
| Portlaoise E Block | 77 | 99 |
| Shelton Abbey | 11 | 100 |
| St Patrick's Institution | Provision of a library service in the old St. Patrick's building is currently under review due to the transfer of 17 to 21 year olds to Wheatfield | N/A |
Libraries in prisons are regarded by prison management as key elements in the process of normalisation and rehabilitation for prisoners. Library services in prisons are mainly provided by Local Authority library personnel deployed to prisons. In some cases, libraries are managed by prison officers or prisoners, with professional librarian oversight. While it is the case that a shortfall in staffing numbers on a particular day can impact negatively on service provision, the Irish Prison Service is actively pursuing the option of having all libraries in prisons managed by long-term, suitably trained prisoners, with professional oversight in order to maximise the service. Prisoners have been trained up and are active in supporting library services in Arbour Hill, the Midlands Prison, Training Unit, Castlerea Prison, Limerick, Portlaoise, Mountjoy, Wheatfield and the Dóchas Centre. In Cork, Shelton Abbey and Loughan House, prisoners assist in the running of the libraries.
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
144. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners actively following courses with the Open University at present, in total and in each institution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8625/15]
Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I wish to inform the Deputy that 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 following table.
| Open University | 2015 |
|---|---|
| Arbour Hill | 8 |
| Castlerea | 3 |
| Cloverhill | 0 |
| Cork | 2 |
| Dóchas | 3 |
| Limerick | 3 |
| Loughan House | 5 |
| Midlands | 5 |
| Mountjoy | 5 |
| Portlaoise | 6 |
| Shelton Abbey | 1 |
| St.Patrick's | 0 |
| Training Unit | 5 |
| Wheatfield | 8 |
| TOTAL | 54 |
No comments