The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has made the continuing level of prison overtime a top priority issue for his Department. Officials of the Prison Service have been engaged in a detailed exploration of alternative working arrangements for the operation of prisons and places of detention and are finalising the details of a draft package or framework of proposals for such change on which to consult with the staff side. While it is intended that there will be an impact from the implementation of the package of measures in 2003, much will depend on the pace of the negotiations with staff interests.