Companies employing prisoners on their release from jail are to be given tax breaks as part of a new Government drive to get former inmates into work.
It is the first time tax incentives have been offered to employees in the Republic to hire released prisoners.
Under the new reintegration scheme, released prisoners will also be given tax credits in an effort to make returning to the workplace more attractive. They will also be entitled to retain social welfare benefits which they would have previously lost on returning to paid employment.
The new measures come in the wake of a major Probation and Welfare Service report last year on the extent of homelessness among the prison population.
The report - A Study of the Number, Profile and Progression Routes of Homeless Persons Before the Courts and in Custody (2005) - recommended a series of supports for inmates on release to help secure housing and employment as a means of escaping chronic recidivism.
The report, details of which were first published in The Irish Times, revealed that 54 per cent of inmates were homeless at some point in their lives.
It found 25 per cent of prisoners interviewed were homeless on committal to prison. One-third of female inmates were homeless on committal to prison.
Agreement on the new tax incentives and social welfare benefits was reached at the beginning of the year between the Irish Prison Service, Revenue Commissioners, Department of Social and Family Affairs and Department of Finance.
Prison governors were last week sent a detailed circular on the new measures, and all staff working with prisoners, including probation officers, have been informed of the details of the reintegration package.
The employment agency Fás has also been advised of the scheme.
Released inmates will be granted an extra tax credit of €3,810 in the first of three years that the scheme will run.
Each inmate will also be entitled to a further allowance of €1,270 per child in the first year. The benefits will gradually decrease over the three-year life of the scheme.
Employers can make a double deduction of the employee's income from their company's taxable income for up to three years provided that the employee remains with them for the period.
Released inmates will also retain a variety of secondary benefits for the first three years of their employment, including their medical card, fuel allowance and up to 75 per cent of their rent supplement.
Employers who agree to hire released inmates will be informed of the criminal past of their new employees. It is understood they will also be advised as to the exact nature of their criminal records.
The new scheme is similar to the provisions of the existing job-assist scheme for the long-term unemployed.
The Irish Prison Service has also recently developed a range of measures with local authorities aimed at enabling released inmates to secure housing. The provisions also assist short-term prisoners in the retention of their housing rights while in prison.
Those serving longer sentences can apply to be included on housing waiting lists nine months before their scheduled release.
