Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the qualifications for entry as a prison officer; if it is necessary to have the leaving certificate; and if exemptions can be made for mature personnel. [8623/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The education requirements for entry as a recruit prison officer provide that the applicant is qualified at Irish leaving certificate level at specified grades in mathematics and at least two languages, one of which must be English or Irish, and in not less than two other subjects.

In the absence of these qualifications the merit grade in the applied leaving certificate or a qualification in another examination which is not of a lower standard than that of the Irish leaving certificate is acceptable. Such applicants must have the required standard in mathematics, two languages, one which must be English or Irish, and two other subjects.

There are no arrangements currently for exempting mature persons. These education qualifications are however under review in the light of accredited training developments at recruit prison officer level and due consideration will be given in that context to whether or not specific arrangements can be adopted in respect of mature persons at future recruit competitions.