Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 507: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the decentralisation of the Irish Prison Service to Longford; if the post of coordinator of education in prisons continues to exist; the person with responsibility for this post; if it is the intention to create a new post arising from the decentralisation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14897/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Headquarters of the Irish Prison Service has now successfully decentralised to its new location in Longford and is one of the first Offices to do so under the current decentralisation scheme.

I can confirm that the post of Coordinator of Education remains part of the IPS HQ staffing complement and is regarded as a key position in the roll-out of education and learning strategies for the prison population.

The current holder of the post does not intend to decentralise to Longford but will remain in his post until a replacement is recruited. Advertisements for the position were placed by the Public Appointments Service, with a closing date of 7 March, 2008. It is expected that the interview process will commence shortly and that a successful candidate will take up the post before the end of the summer. The current Coordinator of Education has been offered an alternative, Dublin based position in the Irish Prison Service.