Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 May 2018
106. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which criminal gang members have been offered rehabilitative or educational training while in prison; the number that have had more than one referral for such training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22819/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service provides a wide range of rehabilitative programmes to those in custody that include education, vocational training, healthcare, psychiatric, psychological, counselling, welfare and spiritual services. These programmes can offer purposeful activity to those in custody while serving their sentences and encouraging them to lead law abiding lives on release. These programmes are available in all prisons and all prisoners are eligible to use the services.
The manner in which education and training records are collated does not provide for statistics on the extent to which criminal gang members have been offered rehabilitative or educational training while in prison or the number that have had more than one referral for such training.
