Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when recruitment will re-commence into the Irish Prison Service for the position of prison officers; the position regarding those who have applied some time ago and are currently on a panel; if persons will be recruited from this panel this year; the number expected to be recruited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17734/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that a panel of suitable candidates for the position of Prison Officer was created following a recruitment process in 2008 and this remains in place. A total of 480 candidates have so far been called for interview, and 179 have been recruited.

Any further recruitment will be considered in the context of discussions which are ongoing in relation to staffing levels under the Transformation Agenda and the Croke Park Agreement. In this context too, the Deputy will be aware that the Irish Prison Service is subject to the moratorium on public service recruitment and recruitment is subject to the approval of the Minister for Public Service Expenditure and Reform.