Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 483: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the degree to which adequate staff are available in each of the prisons throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22857/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Current staffing levels and configurations for each of the prisons were established in the context of the Change Agreement reached with the Prison Officers' Association in 2005. The Agreement involved substantial changes to staff deployment which could only be achieved over time. At present, staffing levels and configurations are quite close to what was envisaged when the Agreement was reached with the POA. The Deputy will appreciate that in a large organisation such as the Irish Prison Service, surpluses and shortfalls in staffing have to be managed on an ongoing basis. However, I am satisfied that there are adequate staff in each of the prisons at present.