New scheme to teach prisoners how to retrofit homes

Simon Harris said the courses would provide prisoners with "the skills they need to get sustainable jobs on release, while also creating skilled workers to help deliver on our targets under Housing for All". 

A new training programme will see prisoners learn the skills necessary to retrofit homes under a new pilot scheme to help them enter the workforce upon release. 

The Retrofit Skills Course QQI Level 5 component award — a Department of Further and Higher Education programme — officially launched at the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise and at Wheatfield Prison in Dublin on Monday.

The department said the scheme will be offered to prisoners close to release and will provide them with "the individual skillset to gain well-paid meaningful employment in the area of retrofitting".

The scheme is an initiative of the Prison Education Taskforce, established in May 2023, which aims to ensure greater alignment between prison education and the third-level education system, allowing prisoners to benefit from education and training opportunities while in custody with a view to supporting their rehabilitation and provide access to employment after their release. 

The taskforce is made up of several agencies including the Irish Prison Service, SOLAS, the Probation Service, and the Education and Training Boards.

Announcing the scheme, Higher Education Minister Simon Harris said the courses would provide prisoners with "the skills they need to get sustainable jobs on release, while also creating skilled workers to help deliver on our targets under Housing for All”.

“We know we need to do more to improve education and upskilling opportunities for people in custody to support their rehabilitation and employment post-release," he said.

“This programme will be offered to those who are close to release — and will equip them with the training and skills they need to become active participants in the jobs market."

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Minister of State at the Department of Justice, James Browne, said the importance of "taking an employment-focused view of education in our prisons" could not be underestimated.

"Education and training allow people to see alternative choices, a different future and to move away from criminality," he said.

"Retrofitting is a service that is in big demand in Ireland at the moment so I am very pleased that Minster Harris and I have been able to secure this important new training programme."

Mr Brown expressed hope that the qualification would have "a positive impact on the individual themselves and their families by supporting people accessing gainful employment".

"The programme will also be of big benefit to communities by increasing the availability of retrofitting professionals to help homeowners safeguard against the cost of living and help the environment by improving energy efficiency in their homes," he added.