Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 422: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures which he intends to take to resolve the dispute with prison officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14241/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 191 and 207 on 21 April last, in which I expressed my extreme disappointment at the rejection by staff of the proposal for organisational change in the Prison Service. The proposal emerged following protracted negotiations at the Labour Relations Commission and an arbitration process and was recommended for acceptance by the national executive of the Prison Officers Association. I also outlined the steps that I am compelled to take to ensure the valuable resources at my disposal are used efficiently, wisely and effectively.

As regards the question of resolving the dispute with the prison officers, the Deputy will be aware that I have utilised to the full all of the available industrial relations machinery in the State over a lengthy period, up to and including arbitration, in an effort to reach a mutually acceptable way forward. There is no further industrial relations forum to which the dispute can be taken. Prison officers have made their choice in the full knowledge of the consequences. I have no option but to proceed immediately with the agenda approved by Government to ensure the Prison Service is run as efficiently and cost effectively as possible.

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 423: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the rationale behind the proposal to close the open prison (details supplied) in County Cavan; his plans for alternative use of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14281/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I refer the Deputy's attention to the Adjournment debates on 12 November and 19 November 2003 regarding measures to contain prison costs, including possible new management arrangements for the open prison in County Cavan which would not involve the Irish Prison Service. The rationale behind the proposal to have alternative arrangements for the operation of this prison is outlined therein. I fully support the work that open centres do and would prefer to see an enhanced role for them in the criminal justice system. I advocate more open regimes, rather than less. However, the unfortunate fact of life is that we are prevented by the millstone of excessive and unnecessary overtime in the Prison Service from doing the things for which people inside and outside the system have been calling for years.

I have indicated on numerous occasions that I would allow this centre to continue to be operated by the Prison Service and staffed by prison officers, provided that it was done on a sensible, reasonable and effective basis. However the rejection by staff of the proposal for organisational change, which was recommended for acceptance by the Prison Officers' Association, means that I have no option but to move to reduce costs by whatever means are practicable.

The decision to withdraw the two open centres in Counties Cavan and Wicklow from the Prison Service and to introduce a facility for persons on temporary or early release from prison at both locations under new management will allow me to permanently redeploy the staff in these institutions to other prisons where they will contribute to the reduction in the overtime bill and ensure the needs of offenders continue to be met.