Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 262: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the call out charge applying to electrical work such as changing a light bulb in each prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18467/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that during the normal working week of 8.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday, all electrical maintenance required within the prison estate is carried out by in-house trades staff.

Cover for urgent electrical repairs, in circumstances where an immediate response is required, is provided by contractors who were selected following a publicly advertised competition. It should be noted that changing a light bulb would not be considered an urgent matter and would fall to be dealt with by the prison service trades staff.

Emergency call outs are paid for at a fixed hourly rate of €69.00. The payment is made only in respect of time on site in a prison and no payment arises in relation to travelling time, or retainer fees. There is also no minimum call out charge.