Vol. 577 No. 4
176 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans for the prison education service; his plans regarding the units at Spike Island and the Curragh Prison; if the privatisation of Loughan House and Shelton Abbey will affect the prison education service and the employment of staff there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31482/03]
Responsibility for the prison service and any proposals relating to restructuring or privatisation within the service are a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
My Department supports the delivery of education programmes within the prison service through the allocation of teaching hours to relevant vocational education committees under the heading of co-operation with other institutions. My Department remains committed to ensuring that appropriate education services continue to be made available to the prison service. Officials of my Department will be liaising with the prison service to ensure that the necessary educational inputs continue to be made available.
