Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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229. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in the context of the statement in the Irish Prison Service Annual Report that all Prison Education Centres meet the quality assurance standards demanded by QQI, the number of meetings of the Prison Education Taskforce that took place over the period 2015-2025; the current priorities of this task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24766/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Prison Education Taskforce was established in May 2023, and it is co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Justice. 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.

The Taskforce has met five times to date with the last meeting taking place in June 2024.

Working collaboratively, the Taskforce is driving new innovative approaches in education and training in prisons. A retrofit pilot programme was rolled out in the Midlands and Wheatfield Prison in 2024. This Retrofit Skills Course at QQI Level 5 was developed in partnership between the National Construction Training Campus under Laois and Offaly ETB 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 advance delivery of these apprenticeships within a prison setting.

FET Information Days have taken place in several prisons including Mountjoy Prison. The purpose of these information days is to provide advice to prisoners on education and training options both pre and post release. NALA’s Peer to Peer Literacy ambassador programme has been rolled out across seven locations. The Irish Prison Service has been progressing a digital transformation programme to ensure a joined-up approach to the use of technology in prisons.

I am sure the Deputy will agree that these innovations demonstrate the significant impact of the work of the Taskforce to date. My officials are liaising with colleagues in the Department of Justice to reconvene the Prison Education Taskforce at the earliest opportunity to review the progress to date and set priorities for 2025.