THE STATE'S human rights watchdog has told a United Nations committee that physical conditions in many prisons in Ireland are wholly inadequate and are in breach of prisoners' basic rights.
The Irish Human Rights Commission says the State has an obligation to ensure its prisons meet basic standards by providing adequate sanitation and appropriate accommodation.
It says the level of social rehabilitation programmes in prison is very poor, with insufficient provision of drugs counselling, treatment for sex offenders, psychological support services or training and education.
The observations are contained in a report to the UN human rights committee which will examine the State's progress in implementing an international covenant on civil and political rights next month. The Government signed up to the covenant in the 1970s. However, it has not been incorporated into Irish law.
Dr Maurice Manning, president of the Irish Human Rights Commission, said he was disappointed by the Government's response to protecting the rights of more vulnerable members of society.
"Not enough action has been taken by the Government to address a number of concerns including in relation to detention, and due process rights, as well as the rights of women, Travellers, immigrants and same-sex couples."
The commission's report points out that little or no action has been taken by the State to address a number of the concerns and recommendations highlighted by the UN committee in its previous reports, such as the continued operation of the Special Criminal Court and the provision for seven-day detention of suspects in anti-drug trafficking legislation.
In the area of prisons, the commission says there is a pressing need for adequate investment in mental health services. The approach developed in Wheatfield prison, where the vast majority of the prison population are involved in meaningful work, training and educational courses, should be replicated in all prisons as a matter of urgency, the commission says.
On the issue of people with disabilities, the commission says it is concerned that Ireland has not ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
It says the Government's commitment to educate children with disabilities in mainstream education has not been matched by an adequate allocation of resources to make mainstream education an adequate and effective form of education for people with disabilities.
In the field of immigration, the commission says specific provision for the needs and standard of care to be provided to unaccompanied and separated children.
"The quality of care provided to unaccompanied minors should, at a minimum, meet the standard of care of Irish children in the care of the State," the report says.
Any amendment to child care legislation should address the needs and issues of this particularly vulnerable group, it adds.
