Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

93. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the change in the work practices in the Prison Service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44549/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am aware of the change in work practices, referred to by the Deputy, which is the elimination of grace periods.

This proposed change is one of the reform measures set out in the collective agreement for the Irish Prison Sector under the Haddington Road Agreement.

Staff in the Irish Prison Service were not obliged to work the additional hours required of the majority of public servants under the Haddington Road Agreement on the basis that the grace periods would be eliminated – up to 50 minutes per day which staff are paid for but not required to work.

The elimination of such grace periods as agreed under the HRA will allow the Irish Prison Service to provide increased rehabilitative measures such as additional out of cell time and structured activities to prisoners.

I am informed by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that the Service is committed to utilising the mechanisms of the Haddington Road Agreement in relation to the introduction of this reform measure.