Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
851. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding any assessment carried out into the benefits of investing in rehabilitation programmes for prisoners in the Irish prison system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40003/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra853. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding any review has been carried out into the Nordic Model for the prison system that puts significant focus on rehabilitation and reintegration into society; if any lessons can be learned for an Irish context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40005/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra854. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the total number of prisoners that participate in rehabilitation and education programmes within the Irish prison system, broken down as a percentage of the total prison population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40006/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra855. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his views on whether overcrowding has any impact on access to rehabilitation programmes within the Irish prison system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40007/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra856. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total cost of funding rehabilitation programmes within the Irish Prison System for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40010/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra857. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total cost of funding rehabilitation programmes within the Irish Prison System for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40011/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra858. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total cost of funding rehabilitation programmes within the Irish Prison System for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40012/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra859. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total cost of funding rehabilitation programmes within the Irish Prison System for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40013/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra860. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total cost of funding rehabilitation programmes within the Irish Prison System for 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40014/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Question No. 851 and Questions Nos. 853 to 860, inclusive, together.
Rehabilitation is a core aim of the Irish Prison Service (IPS). The IPS has advised that it works to achieve a balanced approach in relation to its care and custody functions, and seeks to manage sentences in a way that encourages and supports people in custody in their efforts to live law abiding and purposeful lives on release.
The Deputy has advised that participation rates of prisoners in education programmes and data in relation to the overall education budget is sufficient for the purpose of responding to his questions on rehabilitation. In Q1 2026, the average percentage of prisoners attending education as a percentage of the total population was 55%. In relation to Work Training, in Q1 2026, the average attendance as a percentage of the total population was 18%.
The table below outlines the budget allocated to Education for the years 2021 - 2025 inclusive. Expenditure through the Irish Prison Service Vote covers the incidental day-to-day costs of running the Education Centres, including educational equipment purchase and repair, course resource materials and educational software.
|
Year |
Budget € |
|
2021 |
1,265,000 |
|
2022 |
1,265,000 |
|
2023 |
1,559,000 |
|
2024 |
1,709,000 |
|
2025 |
2,129,000 |
Education in prisons is delivered in partnership with the Education Training Boards (ETBs). A broad and flexible curriculum is provided from basic literacy through to state examinations and Open University. The Irish Prison Service has expanded the number of accredited courses and opportunities available to prisoners in the area of work-training. Enhanced partnership arrangements with accrediting bodies such as City and Guilds, the Guild of Cleaners and Launderers, Cleanpass, Mount Lucas and various colleges and universities have enabled the IPS to extend the number of available courses and activities with certification. Teachers salaries are managed by ETBs with a total of 220 teachers.
A Prison Education Taskforce commenced in May 2023 with the aim of improving education and upskilling across the criminal justice system. The Taskforce supports the implementation of innovative approaches in prison education, including the piloting of qualifications in retrofitting and catering, and is exploring further opportunities in relation to education and training. By supporting increased access for prisoners to benefit from education and training opportunities while in custody, this increases their opportunity for employment post-release and contributes to reducing recidivism.
In November 2024, the Department of Justice launched ‘Building Pathways Together: Criminal Justice Reintegration Through Employment Strategy 2025-2027’. This strategy seeks to provide effective interventions to ensure that those who have ceased offending, and those who are looking for stability to move away from a life which involves offending, have the appropriate supports and opportunities open to them. Together with the Prison Education Taskforce, there is renewed cross-sectoral commitment to create meaningful education and employment opportunities for people with criminal convictions and their families.
