Wheatfield Prison inmates were presented with Linkage Programme certificates today as the Tánaiste announced funding of £185,000 for the scheme this year.
Ms Harney presented the certificates to 20 inmates as part of the programme which gives training to help former offenders find jobs.
The funding announced today by the Tánaiste is an increase of £35,000 on last year.
IBEC, the Small Firms Association and various State companies are involved in the scheme and 50 people have already got work in the past year, according to Ms Harney.
Speaking today in Wheatfield Prison, she said: "The Programme reflects the ongoing commitment of Dublin’s Inner City Enterprise to create opportunities for offenders for work experience and job placement.
"In this way the programme provides very significant benefits both to employers and to the wider community."
She also praised the work of FÁS, who have previously run training programmes with Wheatfield and also gave prisoners access to the FÁS Integrated Assessment Certification Programme.