The purpose of the meeting is to consider Supplementary Estimates for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform: Vote 20 — Garda Síochána; and Vote 21 — prisons. The meeting is due to finish no later than 6.45 p.m. Is that agreed? Agreed. I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Seán Power, and his officials for attending and assisting our consideration of the Supplementary Estimates. A briefing note providing details of the Supplementary Estimates has been circulated to members whom I again remind that we are only considering Vote 20, Garda Síochána, subheads A, B, D, F, H and I and Vote 21, prisons, subheads A, B and C. Members may discuss issues relevant to these subheads only and may not recommend increases or decreases in the Supplementary Estimates. There will be no votes. I invite the Minister to make an opening statement.
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary).
The purpose of my meeting with the committee is to seek its approval, on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, for a net Supplementary Estimate of €55 million for the justice Vote group, representing an increase of 2.3% of the original net allocation for the group. The requirement for additional funding arises in respect of two of the group's Votes — the Garda Vote where an additional €25 million is required and the prisons Vote where €42 million is being sought. Combined net savings of €12 million on the justice, courts and Property Registration Authority Votes will be surrendered at year end to offset against the additional funding required.
It is almost inevitable, given the breadth of expenditure programmes captured under the justice group and the factors influencing each of these, that circumstances will arise, whereby certain areas of expenditure cannot proceed at the pace originally planned. Equally, others invariably come under pressure to exceed original forecasts. Budget management arrangements are in place within the Department, however, at both a Vote and cross-departmental level, to monitor expenditure and identify at an early stage areas where actual spend is deviating from profile in order that appropriate corrective action can be taken.
As a consequence, the main areas where additional funding is being sought have been under scrutiny for some time to ensure only essential costs are being incurred. Thanks to this, the potential extent of the excess has been greatly mitigated. Furthermore, areas of expenditure where greater discretion is available have been evaluated and certain items re-prioritised so as to take account of the overall macro position across the Department's Votes. The combined effect of this prudent approach has been to keep the requirement for additional funding to a minimum, consistent with the Government's emphasis on sound fiscal management, while ensuring the needs of essential front-line services in the justice sector are met.
As I said, the additional funding requirement arises on the Garda and prisons Votes. The programmes which will benefit are the very heart of our activity in the criminal justice field.
The key driver on the Garda Vote is the programme of measures in place to tackle gangland and other serious crime. In particular, this has given rise to an additional requirement of €28.2 million on subhead A1 — salaries, wages and allowances, attributable in the main to an expected increase of €50.4 million on overtime, offset in part by savings in other areas of salary and allowance expenditure. This overtime expenditure is essential to the continuation of the intensive policing strategies associated with Operation Anvil and other high priority activities. Due to similar operational pressures, there is an additional requirement of €8 million under subhead A2 — travel and subsistence.
On subheads A3, A4, A7, A8, D and F, which concern incidental expenses, post and telecom services, consultancy services, transport and aircraft, on behalf of the Minister, I am proposing an increase of €19.975 million to cover additional expenditure needs in these areas.
On subhead B — clothing and accessories, an increase of €7 million on the provision is sought to meet the cost of purchasing anti-stab and anti-ballistic vests for Garda members. This has been a major procurement and supply programme with more than 12,000 vests fitted and issued to operational gardaí so far and I am pleased to say the Garda authorities are taking steps to ensure all operational members receive a vest by the end of the year.
On the savings side of the Garda Vote, the Minister anticipates that these will amount to €53.375 million. The largest single item is a saving of €36 million on superannuation due to a reduced number of retirements as a consequence of the extension of the retirement age from 57 to 60 years for Garda members.
Receipts under subhead K, appropriations-in-aid, are forecast to be €7.575 million above the projected figure, including increases in non-public duty charges. A saving of €8.25 million is also expected to arise on subhead E, communications equipment, due to timing issues in respect of a number of projects. Taken together, the committee's approval is sought for a Supplementary Estimate of €25 million for the Garda Vote, which amounts to 1.77% of the original provision for the Vote.
Turning to the prisons Vote, the main requirement for additional funding relates to the prison building programme, which will add a further 320 places to existing capacity. I do not need to reiterate the challenges presented by an ageing prison infrastructure and the need to keep pace with the numbers sentenced to imprisonment. The committee will also be well aware of the ongoing security challenges faced by the Irish Prison Service, particularly in the context of combating drugs in prisons and the management of serious criminals in the prison system. These challenges have necessitated considerable additional investment during 2007. An additional €37.852 million is required under subhead B, current buildings and equipment. This incorporates key security projects such as the introduction of metal detectors across the service, additional CCTV, visitor screening and mobile phone inhibition measures. Investments have also been made in a number of projects to improve prisoner living conditions, including workshops for young offenders in St. Patrick's Institution and refurbishment projects at Cork, Mountjoy, Limerick and Portlaoise.
On the capital projects side, an additional requirement of €11million arises, reflecting the Minister's focus on delivering additional prison spaces. The chief projects advanced during 2007 were at Portlaoise, Limerick, Wheatfield, Loughan House, Shelton Abbey, Castlerea and Mountjoy, as well as progression of the Thornton Hall project.
Additional expenditure has also arisen under subhead C, prison services, of €5.217 million and subhead A3, incidental expenses, of €3.75 million. The additional requirements reflect increased utility, food and other services for prisoners, including medical costs, particularly in the areas of drug detection and counselling.
The additional requirement on the prisons Vote is offset by savings of €15.819 million on other subheads. The largest single item is an anticipated saving of €10.031 million arising on salaries, which can largely be attributed to the efficiencies introduced on foot of the successful implementation of the proposal for organisational change in the Irish Prison Service. By eliminating the unsustainable overtime culture and focusing on working fewer hours in a more efficient fashion, management can deploy staff when they are needed most and staff have more predictable attendance patterns. The new system is delivering both operational efficiencies and actual cash savings which can be now redirected to the development of prison services and accommodation, which is precisely what is happening in this Supplementary Estimate proposal. The additional expenditure sought under the Garda and prisons Votes is, as I said, also being offset by savings on the other three Votes which will be surrendered at year end.
I do not propose to go into detail on each line item, but I will begin with the justice Vote, on which an overall net saving of €7 million is anticipated. This, in turn, reflects management within the Vote as increased costs have arisen on the administrative budget, as well as under subheads B, D1 and D4, relating to commissions and special inquiries, INIS and asylum accommodation. Strong demand-led factors apply in most of these areas. These items have been more than offset by savings, including capital, in the youth justice, probation and State pathology services, as well as greater than anticipated receipts.
On the courts Vote, a net saving of €3 million has been realised. This reflects the underspend on capital projects due to the timing of certain courthouse projects, but also the impact of increased receipts from court fees during the course of the year.
On the Vote for the property registration authority, a saving of €2 million is being realised in 2007. This arises from the deferral to 2008 of certain IT capital and current expenditure. Notwithstanding this timing issue, the key IT projects in the property registration area are making significant progress. The digital mapping project is set to mark the culmination of the computerisation programme for all of the Land Registry's registers, maps and indexes.
In summary, the total additional expenditure requirement for 2007 is €67 million which has been reduced to €55 million through savings on the other Votes and equates to 2.3% of the original net allocation. The areas where additional expenditure is proposed form an inherent part of the Government's priorities in the justice and equality sector and should be seen as part of a wider commitment to ensure the sector has the necessary resources to deliver on its wide-ranging and complex mandate.
On behalf of the Minister, I recommend the Supplementary Estimates to the committee. I will be happy to answer any questions arising therefrom.
I am somewhat new to this procedure. I take it I am permitted to make some brief comments and address some questions to the Minister of State.
Yes, provided the Deputy's questions relate to the individual subheads.
I was surprised to hear the Minister of State refer to the Property Registration Authority and the court's Vote, as I thought we were dealing only with the Votes in respect of prisons and the Garda Síochána.
On Vote 20, I note that the sum of €12 million in savings will be returned by the Department to the Exchequer and that a sum of €8.25 million in respect of communications and other equipment was unspent. Why does it remain unspent, given the urgent need to upgrade the technology available to the Garda Síochána with particular reference to digital phones and the use by gardaí of their own mobile phones, an issue raised from time to time with the Minister? It is extraordinary that a sum of €8.25 million remains unspent. I wonder also why a further sum of €1 million was unspent in respect of the Garda reserve. Under what other subheads is the Garda reserve dealt with? Is there in place a mechanism to channel unspent funding into under-funded areas such as youth justice initiatives or community policing or is this money returned to the general Exchequer fund?
Listed under the heading of incidental expenses is an overrun of €9.5 million arising from increases in expenditure in respect of road traffic expenses, doctors' fees and expenses relating to persons detained for meals and refreshments. Is this expenditure demand-led? If so, how is it predicted in the context of ongoing developments? I would also like to know how this sum compares with the figure for last year.
On road traffic expenses, I note that the scourge of boy racers is being addressed in some Garda divisions by way of decibel counter readers provided from resources outside those provided by the Department. I would have expected the provision of decibel counter readers in vehicles operated by the Garda traffic corps to be funded by the Department rather than through other means such as voluntary subscriptions and so on.
I note an overrun of €4.3 million in station services due to increased utility and cleaning charges. This is higher than the estimated provision. Are these services subject to tender and, if so, how are they operated? There is also an overrun of €7 million in respect of Garda clothing and accessories, including anti-stab and anti-ballistic vests. The Minister of State has pointed out that anti-stab vests will be provided for all operational members of the force by the end of the year. Will everyone who requires an anti-ballistic vest which is more expensive have one?
As of 30 November, how many members of the force had completed their training? Will more gardaí graduate from Templemore this year? When will the next batch graduate? What was the total number of gardaí as of 30 November?
In regard to Vote 21 - prisons, I understand the increase in incidental expenses is in respect of the increased cost of outsourced and other contracted services, including the operation of canteen facilities and the provision of medical and dental treatment in the prison service. What services have been outsourced to date? Is there an ongoing programme of further outsourcing within the system? Will the Minister of State address the plans which have been made for further outsourcing?
Under the heading of building and equipment, Castlerea, Loughan House, Shelton Abbey and Portlaoise C Block have been listed. Have all building works been considered in the context of the plans for the new super-prison at Thornton Hall? In addition, I note that expenditure is required for security works in many of the prisons; that old or holding cells in Mountjoy Prison have been replaced; that new security screening mechanisms are needed to check inmates for weapons and other contraband. Work has also commenced on other projects.
What work has been done to date in respect of measures to inhibit mobile phones, arising from the infamous incident some months ago where a prison inmate could be heard clearly on the national airwaves? In response it was mentioned that technical devices might be used to block mobile phone signals. There was a fear in Portlaoise, the area which I know best, that the blocking signal might interfere with the signal from the hospital, located next door. I would have thought that technology was available to allow for the signal from prisons to be blocked or inhibited. Is the Minister of State satisfied with measures taken to date?
There is a programme to facilitate the introduction of dog units at the entrance to prisons as an extra security measure. One of the dogs used in the pilot programme at Portlaoise Prison has been returned home and is no longer on operational duty. I am in favour of airport type security measures in prisons and dogs being employed to do the job they are best equipped to do, but it seems to be piecemeal. I hope sufficient funds are being made available for the training of dogs to be used in the prison service. I would like to see ongoing reports on this measure.
I note that a number of vacancies are in the process of being filled. What positions are unfilled and for how long and why have they remained unfilled? Do any of them relate to training and teaching? Again, I suspect that many such positions remain unfilled.
The recent Council of Europe report and the more recent report from the prison chaplains which outlines a litany of shame in the manner in which our prisons are run are alarming. I hope improvements can be introduced in the interim while we await Thornton Hall. We cannot allow the inhumane prison regime to remain. If there are offset savings, where are they? What funding has been set aside to address the serious problems raised by the Council of Europe anti-torture committee and the National Prison Chaplains Association annual report published only last week.
The Minister of State gives himself considerable credit for what he calls good fiscal management which he says is in keeping with the Government's good record. However, a 2.3% overrun on the original allocation is not inconsequential. It is significant and I would like more detail on how it happened. I understand the major element was made up of salaries and allowances and related travel expenses and that it relates not to the deployment of additional gardaí but rather to overtime and expenses associated with measures taken to combat gangland crime. That measures were taken during the year to combat gangland and other serious crime not envisaged at the time the Estimate was put together is significant. Otherwise we would not have been taken by surprise by the fact that more intensive policing caused additional costs. I would like to hear the Minister of State's comments in regard to this. I presume the nature of policing is that one cannot plan for every situation. One must adapt as the year goes on. Was the idea of anti-stab vests — a good idea — born during 2007? Perhaps somebody was approached in the middle of the general election with it. Was it not budgeted for at the beginning of the year, given that it must have been possible to calculate what 12,000 vests would cost? If not, why not?
The Minister of State stated a further 320 prison places would be provided this year. Again, the additional moneys spent in respect of the security challenges in the Irish Prison Service are not insignificant. At what stage of the year did they start to be implemented and what are the results? I recently watched a television programme in which two or three young fellows who were interviewed claimed they were drug addicts owing to the fact they had been in prison. One must be careful about what is said on television but they claim they were clean when they went into prison whereas now, having left prison, they are drug addicts. What can the Minister tell us about the perceived success of the additional moneys spent in terms of meeting the security challenge in prisons?
How much money has been spent on the Thornton Hall project? Was there an expectation at the beginning of the year of the amount to be spent? How do the two figures compare?
I notice that the main element of the savings on the prisons Vote arises from the overtime deal agreed with prison officers. Can the Minister of State let us have more details on those figures? How much of the slack has been taken up by salary and other increases? The Minister said there was a net saving of €10 million but were compensatory payments ceded for that?
I presume the reference to moneys spent on commissions of inquiry relates to Rossiter inquiry. Were there any other inquiries and what figure is involved? The Minister of State might explain the reference to increased receipts for court fees. What are they and will they be a regular stream of income from now on? Are they a one-off increase?
I thank the members for their contributions and for the questions they have put. Some of them overlap but I will try to deal with them all. If we do not have the necessary information this evening we will provide it as soon as we can.
Given a budget of approximately €2.6 billion, a Supplementary Estimate of little over 2% of that amount reflects prudent management and leaves one relatively happy with the performance of the Department during the year. Of all Departments, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform can be the most unpredictable in the demands made of it during any particular year. The members opposite will be aware of the situation which prevailed in the first three quarters of this year, when there was an increase in gangland activities and resultant killings, many of which took place in this city. In a serious effort to combat that activity, a targeted campaign was launched, which requires a certain flexibility. In dealing with serious issues such as murder and gun crime, gardaí cannot stop work at 5 p.m. and come back in again at 9 a.m. It requires a team effort and overtime is always required. Overtime plays a significant part in the salary bill of any police service in the world. The figures indicate that in the region of 8% to 11% is the norm in this regard. There is not much difference between this and the figures presented today.
Deputy Flanagan asked about the dog units. I am not sure if he has had personal experience of them.
I have. I would not chance trying to smuggle items into a prison when faced with a large dog engaged in surveillance activity.
It is nice to receive such support from the Opposition. I note Deputy Rabbitte is nodding in agreement.
There are certain dangers associated with them.
The Government has approved the establishment of a dog unit, for which training will begin early in 2008. The unit which is being trialled in the Midlands Prison should be rolled out to all closed prisons by the end of the year. Sanction has been granted for the purchase and training of 30 dogs which will work in teams. As Deputy Flanagan stated, this type of operation has worked extremely well in other areas. It is money well spent in improving security at our prisons. The Government is happy to make this investment.
A major effort was made earlier this year to significantly improve security in our prisons. A considerable effort was made in regard to blocking mobile phone signals. While this was not an easy task, we believed it was necessary. Other improvements include the introduction of the dog units and the provision of metal detectors. Security in our prisons is in the best interests of those working in the environment, as well as prisoners.
We had not budgeted for the purchase of stab vests early in the year as, although necessary, we did not believe they could be provided during the year, as they are manufactured in Germany. At this stage most members have been supplied with anti-stab vests and are happy with them. They have helped to prevent serious injury and provided protection for members in difficult circumstances. Total expenditure was approximately €7 million. There is no doubt that the vests have prevented serious injury to members and it is hoped to provide all members with one in due course.
Approximately €2.8 million was spent earlier in the year on Thornton Hall. Members will be aware of the concerns of the local community in respect of the volume of traffic using the road leading to the site which runs close to a number of dwellings in the area. In an effort to deal with the problem, it was agreed that an adjoining parcel of land would be purchased and we paid for it. The new road will be built on that land, which will make life easier for the local community. The other expenditure would include fees and the cost of some of the preliminary works undertaken.
Deputy Flanagan referred to increased expenditure on Garda activity. The serious increase in Garda activity on road duties comes at a price. That is the main reason for the increase.
In regard to Garda numbers, how many gardaí are on duty?
The number is 13,531.
Are 13,531 gardaí operational throughout the country?
Yes, and the number is to increase to 15,000 next year.
Therefore, the figure of 15,000 is immutable.
A commitment was given some time ago and it will be honoured.
In 2006 we increased the retirement age from 57 years to 60. That meant we had 114 fewer retiring than we might normally have expected. This resulted in a saving of €36 million.
Is it mandatory to serve until the age of 60 years or can one retire at 57?
Once a person has 30 years service, he or she can leave earlier.
Does one qualify for a full pension after 30 years service?
Yes.
Would a person who joins at the age of 23 years be eligible for a full pension at 53 years?
Once a person has served 30 years, he or she can retire.
It has been the pattern during the years, since the drugs menace took hold, for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to assert that there are no drugs in prisons. I remember visiting a major prison and, with a straight face, being told there were no drugs in prisons. Nobody believes it and it is not true. What is the perceived success of the emphasis now being placed on trying to prevent contraband of various kinds getting into prisons? Is the blocking of mobile telephones a technical operation as distinct from seizing mobile telephones? There are figures in today's newspapers relating to the number of people who are back in prison within four years of being released. Drugs seem to be at the heart of the menace, no matter what angle one approaches from. It is something in respect of which we should strive harder if young fellows who are incarcerated in one of our prisons for a less than gravely serious crime end up as drug addicts as a result. Is it realistic to strive for drug-free prisons or is the Minister of State saying that is not possible within our current capacity, given that the buildings are old and so on? I remember a governor, for whom there is properly a lot of respect, telling me with a straight face that some of the drugs get into a certain prison by way of a sliotar being pucked over the wall. I have been around Dublin for a while now and I do not see much sliotar activity in the area of Dublin from where most of the clients are attracted.
Dublin hurling has improved.
It has, but not in the areas we are discussing. How realistic is the aspiration and what progress has been made in terms of keeping drugs out of prisons or at least in preventing new clients becoming addicted while in prison?
Keeping drugs out of prisons is a major challenge and one for which we have allocated major resources. However, it is a battle that will not be easily won. Drug-free prisons--
I am sorry to interrupt the Minister of State. There is a vote in the Dáil on the motion on Zimbabwe. I suggest that we suspend in order to vote and return to complete our consideration of the Estimates. Is that agreed? Agreed.
We will continue our consideration of the Supplementary Estimates for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The Minister of State was replying to Deputy Flanagan’s questions.
I was making the point that we all wanted our prisons to be drug-free but that achieving that aim comes at a high price. One might be prepared to carry out certain practices, such as those in the United States, but they have a different culture and I do not believe such practices would be popular in this country. We have realised, however, that drugs are a serious problem and we have made major efforts to tackle the problem.
Deputy Rabbitte asked about the measures taken with regard to mobile telephones. The use of mobile telephones by prisoners is a matter of very serious concern to the Prison Service, as it is to Garda authorities. Access to a functional mobile telephone enables prisoners to circumvent the core purpose underlying their imprisonment, namely, their removal from uninhibited contact with society for a period of time. A pilot scheme of mobile telephone inhibition, using very advanced technology, has been tested in the Midlands Prison and early results are very encouraging. Following the early results, the scheme is now being rolled out to the entire Midlands Prison complex and to the new block at Portlaoise Prison. Subject to further positive evaluation of the project it is intended to introduce mobile telephone inhibition technology into all of our closed prisons over the next 18 months. We are using leading edge technology for this purpose. We must ensure we do not intrude on neighbourhoods in the area.
Drug treatment services within prisons are being significantly enhanced through the introduction of addiction counsellors. The sites focused on in the first phase of the national drugs strategy, most notably Mountjoy Prison, have been provided with additional dedicated staffing, resulting in a significant improvement in the quality of the service provided and the range of treatment options available. This has alleviated a potentially serious situation, as services at these sites were the subject of valid external criticism. The cost of the first phase of implementation was met from Irish Prison Service resources. The second phase will require additional posts to be sanctioned by the Department of Finance.
I will outline for members some of the specific developments taking place. The roll-out of the tender for 24 addiction counsellors to cover all prisons has been progressed and all prisons will have addiction counsellors on site by the end of this year. On dedicated staffing, seven nurse officers and five prison officers embedded within institutions are performing at a level that is significantly improving the quality and range of treatments available at these sites. Additional consultant, addiction and registration sections have been established and are performing well. The infectious diseases clinic at St. James's Hospital is providing in-reach services for prisoners infected with diseases, thus addressing this important need without the necessity for escorted visits by prisoners to hospitals which are staff intensive. The tender for dedicated drug treatment pharmacy services at selected priority sites issued in November. While we are making progress in a number of areas, much more remains to be done. The Government is committed to investing more resources in this area.
While I do not wish to delay the meeting, I refer back to subhead A1, salaries, wages and allowances in respect of prisons, wherein reference is made to a saving. The Minister of State has indicated a number of vacancies are only now in the process of being filled and that this has contributed to savings. Are these education and training posts in the prison service? If so, will the Minister of State make every effort to ensure the positions are filled? There is a deficiency in our prisons in terms of rehabilitation as borne out in every report published in recent times. Many prisoners, once they enter the prison system, appear to embark on a life of imprisonment mostly because of a lack of alternative services that could provide them with training for the outside world. It would be regrettable, therefore, if there was a delay in filling these positions.
I note a new inspector of prisons has been appointed following the death of Judge Kinlan who did a great job. Will the Minister of State consider the establishment of a prison authority to bring an element of modernisation to the structure and remove the process somewhat from the Department? What useful function is performed by prison visiting committees? I have long held the view that prison chaplains play a more important role in their dealings with prisoners. Previous reports on the Irish Prison Service have been ignored. The report published this week has shown that in terms of running the prisons and promoting improvement in the system, the chaplain, because of direct contact with the prisoner, appears to play a far more important role than the visiting committee, which appears outmoded in terms of its role and function. Has the Minister plans to reform the outdated prison visiting committees, manned more by county councillors than any other vocational group?
I do not know if that is specifically related to expenditure, but I will ask the Minister of State to conclude?
We are concerned about a number of aspects of that report. Much of the publicity that visiting committees get is very negative. However, from my knowledge and limited experience, a number of members of visiting committees have taken their role very seriously and have been very enthusiastic about it. Prisoners have an entitlement to meet any member of the visiting committee, should they so wish. That is an important safeguard, and whether prisoners decide to avail of it is immaterial.
The proposal for organisational change provides for wide-ranging change in the Irish Prison Service, including the introduction of a new recruit prison officer grade and appointment to prison officer grade will follow satisfactory completion of a three-year period. The first recruit prison officer competition was held in 2006 and a further competition was advertised in the first quarter of this year, for which a total of 6,171 applications were received. Following the selection process, which included an aptitude test and an interview, 1,710 candidates were placed on a panel. To date, 345 candidates have been called from this panel and the first class of recruits from the 2007 competition were inducted into the service in September 2007.
Education is delivered in prisons by way of a partnership between the Irish Prison Service and a range of educational agencies. During the academic year 2006 to 2007, the Department of Education and Science provided an allocation of 220 whole-time teacher equivalents to prisons. This includes provision for the summer months and also enables special teaching arrangements where prisoners are segregated. Other agencies also contribute significantly to prison education, for example, the Open University which now caters for close to 100 prisoners annually on degree level distance education courses. The Arts Council provides writers and artist workshops and the National College of Art and Design is involved in Portlaoise Prison, the Midlands Prison and training unit prisons. In addition, four full-time librarians employed by the Dublin public libraries work in prisons in the Dublin area.
The Irish Prison Service places a strong emphasis on the provision of vocational training for prisoners and training activities are chosen to give as much employment as possible for those in prison and to give opportunities to acquire skills which would help them secure employment on release, which is very important. The programme organises the necessary services such as catering and laundering as well as workshops covering metalwork, printing, computers, Braille, woodwork, construction, clothing manufacture crafts, farming, horticulture, indexing, painting and decorating, upholstery, baking and electronics. It also provides work and training opportunities for prisoners while ensuring a high quality of service delivery in the prison.
A redeveloped work training database system has been rolled out to all the institutions this year. The database facilitates the tracking of prisoners' participation and progress in work and vocational training activities in courses during their time in custody. It also assists in the monitoring and evaluation of the level and effectiveness of work and training services for prisoners. A community assistance programme and community project work are also carried out. Several prisons raised funds and provided a wide range of materials for charitable organisations. The proposal for organisational change agreed with the Prison Officers Association provides for a significant shift of resources to vocational training programmes. Since the conclusion of the agreement, progress has been made in filling work and training posts. In 2006 and 2007 to date 17 promotional competitions have been held to complete the complement of work and training personnel in all institutions. The improved allocation of dedicated work and training personnel stands at 253, the highest it has ever been.
That concludes our consideration of the Supplementary Estimates. I thank the Minister of State and his officials for attending.