Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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70. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prison officers that were employed by the State in 2008; the number of prison officers that are currently employed by the State; the ratio of prison guards to prisoners in 2008 and currently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21235/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that there were 3,462 WTE (whole time equivalent) prison grade staff employed by the State in 2008, with a ratio of prison grade staff to prisoners of 0.91:1.

As of 31 March, 2017, there were 3,203 WTE prison grade staff employed by the State, with a ratio of prison grade staff to prisoners of 0.72:1.

I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that in 2016, the Public Appointments Service launched a recruitment campaign for Recruit Prison Officers, the first since 2008.

It is intended to recruit approximately 80 new Recruit Prison Officers in 2017 and a further 216 Recruit Prison Officers in 2018.

Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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71. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans for a recruitment competition for prison officers, having regard to factors such as retirements from the Irish Prison Service; the procedures to be used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21250/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that in 2016, the Public Appointments Service launched a recruitment campaign for Recruit Prison Officers, the first since 2008.

It is intended to recruit approximately 80 new Recruit Prison Officers in 2017 and a further 216 Recruit Prison Officers in 2018.