Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

833. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to report on if the Prison Education Taskforce's Retrofit Skills Course at QQI Level 5 will be rolled out to any further prisons. [27266/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Retrofit Skills QQI Level 5 course pilot training programme as detailed in the Irish Prison Education Taskforce Workplan is now complete. Students in the Midlands and Wheatfield Prisons completed training and assessments in the Retrofit Skill course in 2024.

The Department, in collaboration with key stakeholders, is currently revising the second iteration of the Careers in Construction Action Plan, which aims to promote careers in the construction sector by addressing skills needs, increasing diversity and inclusion, and creating more accessible entry routes into the industry. The plan is structured around three key themes: structural measures, training and upskilling actions, and promotional activities. The plan seeks to ensure the sector is attractive to a broad range of people, including those traditionally underrepresented within it.

An action in the revised plan proposes to “Develop a pilot training programme for prisoners to learn construction skills to help them enter the workforce upon release”. This will involve continued engagement with relevant partners, including the Irish Prison Service, SOLAS, and Education and Training Boards. In addition, the Irish Prison Education Taskforce is currently being reconvened under the new Government to review its overall programme of work and actions to be progressed.

The rollout of the Retrofit Skills QQI Level 5 course to further prisons is subject to this review and resulting actions.