Vol. 455 No. 5
51 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the proposals, if any, he has, in co-operation with the Department of Justice, for developing arts awareness in prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12393/95]
The development of programmes to help the rehabilitation of people in our prisons is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice. The existing prison education service consists of a partnership between the Department of Justice and a range of agencies, including An Chomhairle Ealaíon which supports the Department of Justice in the implementation of the artists in prisons scheme. This scheme allows artists to work with prisoners in one of the country's thirteen prison/detention centres for a period of 8 to 10 days.
Artists who are interested in the scheme are invited to apply to An Comhairle Ealaíon and all applications are carefully considered by both An Chomhairle and the Department of Justice. A panel of shortlisted artists is drawn up and as opportunities arise within the prison system an appropriate shortlisted artist may be called on to undertake a project within a particular prison.
Any modification or extension of the artists in prisons scheme would be a matter for An Chomhairle Ealaíon, in consultation, of course, with the Department of Justice.
I very much agree with initiatives in the Arts and Culture area for prisoners and my Department will be of such assistance as is appropriate and feasible.
