Ex-offenders employed in rehabilitation scheme

Two hundred and seventy-three former offenders were placed in employment under the "linkage" programme in 2003.

Two hundred and seventy-three former offenders were placed in employment under the "linkage" programme in 2003.

The third annual report of the programme, which is designed to rehabilitate former offenders, was launched yesterday by the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell.

In all, 513 ex-offenders took part.

The report noted that a Dublin client received a Bank of Ireland Millennium award scholarship to fund his chosen academic career.

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Mr McDowell acknowledged the significant contribution of the programme, which is funded by his Department, to the placement of former offenders. The director of the Small Firms Association, Mr Pat Delaney, asked companies not to impose blanket bans on their employment.

"Given that there is no provision in Irish law on the expunging of sentences, all offences, regardless of their nature, remain on the offender's file, making it very difficult for him or her to retain a job."

The IBEC director general, Mr Turlough O'Sullivan, said the programme provided an essential link between ex-offenders and employers which was imperative to their reintegration into society.