John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if prison officers who have transferred from Spike Island prison will be made permanent at their present location; if so, when these permanent appointments will be made (details supplied). [16597/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I refer the Deputy to my response to Questions Nos. 191 and 207 on 21 April and to Question No. 256 on 5 May last, in which I outlined the measures I now intend to pursue to ensure the efficient and effective use of the valuable resources at my disposal.

The position regarding permanent placement for the staff temporarily assigned to other institutions as a result of the closure of Fort Mitchel place of detention is currently being examined and it is expected that staff will shortly be notified of the prisons to which they are being permanently redeployed. I am not in a position to indicate that the staff involved will be redeployed permanently at their present locations, as I must have regard to the wider staffing needs of the service. I have arranged, however, to elicit the preferred prison locations to which staff wish to be assigned so that some consideration might be given to their preferences. However, it has been made clear to all concerned that the needs of the service remains the primary issue of concern. Unfortunately, I cannot be more specific at this point on exactly what prisons will be involved.