Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 158: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of prison officers in the prison service at present; the numbers working in each prison; if there are any plans to recruit more prison officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43207/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that the staffing levels for each prison at the 6 November 2010 are as follows:

In addition to the staff assigned to each of the prisons there are also staff assigned to a range of important support services. These include: 146.5 staff assigned to the Prison Service Escort Corps which are responsible for transporting prisoners between prisons and to courts, hospitals and other destinations, 144 staff assigned to the Operational Support Group which is responsible for security screening and security searching within prisons, 15 staff assigned to the Building Services Division which is responsible for building and maintenance and 29.5 other prison grade staff that are assigned to tasks related to training, administration, procurement and logistics. I have been informed by the Irish Prison Service that, on 6 November 2010, the number of prison grade staff serving in the Prison Service as a whole is 3374.5 including 22 Recruit Prison Officers and 8 Nurse Officers currently in training.

Regarding the recruitment of Prison Officers, I wish to advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service is not exempt from the operation of the moratorium on public sector recruitment. However, the terms of the moratorium provide that recruitment may take place with the approval of the Minister for Finance. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Minister for Finance has approved the recruitment of 80 Recruit Prison Officers in addition to those currently in training. This recruitment process is being carried out by the Irish Prison Service in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service, and is at an advanced stage.