Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 73: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to his negotiations with the Prison Officers' Association to resolve the long running dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4939/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I draw the Deputy's attention to my response to Question No. 692 on 26 January last in which I indicated that officials of the Irish Prison Service had re-engaged in discussions with the Prison Officers' Association at the Labour Relations Commission following on a determination by the Civil Service Arbitration Board on a number of financial issues. The position is that these discussions concluded on 8 February with agreement between the Irish Prison Service and the Prison Officers' Association on a proposal for organisational change which will shortly be put to staff for ballot.

As I have indicated previously to the House, the heretofore dependence on overtime cannot be sustained in a progressive modern prison service. It is my firm belief that the proposal for organisational change presents an important turning point for the Irish Prison Service and it offers a mutually satisfactory way forward for the service. For staff there is a real opportunity to gain improved terms of service, including a guaranteed level of earnings and predictable attendance patterns as well as paving the way for greater staff development. For the Irish Prison Service, there is a real prospect of a more efficient and cost effective method of service delivery. I hope that staff will seize the opportunity they are now presented with and that the proposal for organisational change will be endorsed in the forthcoming ballot.