Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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2585.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the work of the Prison Education Taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31226/24]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Prison Education Taskforce was established in May 2023. I co-chair the Taskforce with Minister for Law Reform, James Browne TD. With representatives from both Departments, the Irish Prison Service, SOLAS, the National Apprenticeship Office, Education and Training Boards Ireland, the Probation Service, Maynooth University and former prisoners, the Taskforce aims to improve education and upskilling opportunities for prisoners to support their rehabilitation and employment post-release.

Working collaboratively, the Taskforce is driving new innovative approaches. A retrofit pilot programme commenced earlier year, in the Midlands and Wheatfield prisons. This Retrofit Skills Course at QQI Level 5 was developed in partnership between the National Construction Training Campus under Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board and the Irish Prison Service. On completion, participants will be qualified to carry out retrofitting work. Our goal is that post release, participants will be able to avail of the many employment opportunities arising in this expanding sector.

The Taskforce is also progressing the roll out of apprenticeships in prison, having identified the Commis-Chef Apprenticeship and the pilot new Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship as significant opportunities. There are ongoing discussions between the Irish Prison Service, Department of Justice, SOLAS and the National Apprenticeship Office on how best to to advance delivery of these apprenticeships within a prison setting.

The first FET Information Day took place in Mountjoy Prison, advising prisoners on education and training options both pre and post release, in November 2023. A similar event took place in Wheatfield prison in April. Sessions are planned for other prisons with dates being discussed with the Irish Prison Service at present. The Irish Prison Service is also progressing a digital transformation programme to ensure a joined-up approach to the use of technology in prisons.

My Department secured an investment of €1.5 million in Budget 2024 to support the continued expansion of the Building Bridges initiative – with a particular focus on the National Adult Literacy Agency's Peer to Peer Literacy Ambassador programme, funded through the Adult Literacy for Life Strategy. This programme has been rolled out across 7 locations and will expand its reach this year.

I am sure the Deputy will agree that these innovations demonstrate the significant impact of the work of the Taskforce to date.