Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Purcell and Mr. Clinton. It is welcome that both management and the unions are present and I commend the union representatives on taking up our invitation.

A number of features have come to light in all the deliberations with the various groups that have appeared before us. The first is the number of allowances and the second is how they are categorised. For example, is the description of some of them outdated? Should some be reclassified as reimbursement of expenses? Many of the allowances appear to be part of core pay and some will always be the subject of discussion. What is the total number employed in the Irish Prison Service?