Written answers

Tuesday, 6 November 2012

Department of Justice and Equality

Prison Staff

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the opportunities available for prison officers to retrain or redeploy within the public service particularly occupational injuries make it difficult to resume front line duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47735/12]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that there are no mechanisms available for a Prison Officer to directly transfer to the mainstream Civil Service or other Public Service Bodies.

However, in the case of Officers who have suffered occupational injury, the medical advice of the Chief Medical officer is always sought. In the event that the Chief Medical Officer's prognosis confirms that an injury restricts the range of duties which an officer can undertake, the Irish Prison Service make every effort to facilitate the Officer with a position within the Irish Prison Service which allows him/her to attend work. The Irish Prison Service provide specialist training as required for any area an officer works in, and provides refresher training as necessary to all staff. Furthermore, Officers who are returning from long periods of absence due to illness or injury where the Chief Medical Officer's prognosis is for full recovery over time may have a phased return to work implemented, where possible, whereby they are on restricted duties for a set period of time before progressing to a full range of duties in due course.

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