IPRT Briefing: Recommendations to the UN CEDAW Committee

14th February 2017

In advance of the examination of Ireland’s combined sixth and seventh periodic reports under the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in February 2017, IPRT published a short briefing on recommendations, including some key facts and figures.

Download the Briefing here.

To access IPRT's full submission to the UN CEDAW Committee, click here.

IPRT recommends the Irish State meet its obligations under CEDAW and the Bangkok Rules, through the following actions:

1. The Fines (Payment and Recovery) Act 2014 should be amended to remove the limit (100 euro) below which a fine cannot be paid in instalments, and include an option to pay over 24 months.
2. Gender-specific non-custodial options, which take into account the complex needs of female offenders, should be developed and made available on a nationwide basis.
3. Government should undertake a review to determine the reasons that high rates of female prisoners are detained on remand. Prison should not be viewed as a place of respite.
4. The timeline for the new female prison in Limerick must be met, with Mother and Baby Units included in its design.
5. Addictions and mental health services should be readily accessible to all women while in prison and post-release.
6. Prison visits should be child-friendly and take into account the needs of the child. Contact should be encouraged and facilitated, where it is in the best interests of the child.
7. Specific post-release services designed to meet the needs of marginalised groups in the prison system, such as Traveller women, should be developed, resourced and implemented.
8. More general provision of post-release supports for women, including supported stepdown residential facilities, geographically spread across the country. These should include:
   - supported accommodation;
   - intensive case management;
   - specialist addiction and mental health services; and
   - day services with structured educational and training programmes that consider the needs of women.

To access IPRT's full submission in advance of the examination of Ireland’s combined sixth and seventh periodic reports under Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in January 2017, click here.