IPRT Submissions
IPRT Pre-Budget Submission Budget 2026
15th September 2025
Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) has prepared our pre-Budget submission to legislators for consideration ahead of Budget 2026.
IPRT Submission on the Children (Amendment) Bill 2024
19th August 2025
IPRT welcomes key reforms in the Children (Amendment) Bill 2024. IPRT has made a submission to the Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the Children (Amendment) Bill 2024 and welcomes many of the proposed reforms and highlighting opportunities to further align Ireland’s youth justice system with international human rights standards.
Letter to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on Consultation on General Comment No. 27:
30th June 2025
IPRT submitted a letter to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, providing comments on the Committee’s draft General Comment No. 27 concerning children’s right to access justice and to an effective remedy. The IPRT previously provided substantive input on the draft General Comment in our submission to the Committee in August 2024, and the comments here should be read in conjunction with that submission.
Submission by the Irish Penal Reform Trust on the General Scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025
23rd June 2025
The IPRT welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on the General Scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025. This submission focuses on aspects of the Bill which relate to IPRT’s work in the criminal justice system, in particular on sentencing reform and the introduction of incapacitant spray.
Submission by the Irish Penal Reform Trust on the General Scheme of the Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill 2025
11th June 2025
IPRT has made a submission on the General Scheme of the Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill 2025, focusing on the rights and welfare of children affected by fatal domestic violence or parental imprisonment. IPRT works with families impacted by the penal system and emphasises that any decisions regarding guardianship must place the best interests of the child at the centre.
IPRT submission to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality on its Statement of Strategy 2025-2027
23rd May 2025
This submission from IPRT urges DCDE to ensure its 2025–2027 Statement of Strategy addresses the complex disadvantages experienced by people in prison and their families, with a focus on youth justice, children with a parent in prison, persons with disabilities, and Travellers.
IPRT Submission to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on human rights and social reintegration
21st March 2025
IPRT made a submission to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in contribution to its preparation of a comprehensive study on human rights and the social reintegration of persons released from detention and persons subjected to non-custodial measures, pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 57/9.
IPRT letter to the Sentencing Guidelines and Information Committee consultation on guidelines for crimes committed in the context of an intimate relationship
28th February 2025
The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) submitted a letter to the Sentencing Guidelines and Information Committee on its recent consultation on the draft proposal for a sentencing guideline relating to crimes committed in the context of an intimate relationship.
IPRT Submission to the Consultation on Jury Reform
6th December 2024
IPRT made a submission to the Department of Justice Consultation on Jury Reform. IPRT's observations relate mainly to the issues highlighted in Chapter Five of the consultation document, including disqualification from jury service based on the type of offence, sentence received, the time since the offending occurred, and the approach to persons on remand.
IPRT Submission to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth consultation on the next National Strategy for Women and Girls
14th October 2024
IPRT welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth consultation on the successor to the National Strategy for Women and Girls. IPRT's submission makes 15 recommendations.
