Written answers

Wednesday, 19 December 2018

Department of Justice and Equality

Prison Service Staff

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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259. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 228 of 11 December 2018, the number of the 13 persons that have retired on grounds of ill health as a direct result of a recognised injury on duty from the Irish Prison Service; if they were subject to an injury warrant application by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53862/18]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Further to my response to Parliamentary Question 228 of 11 December 2018, I am advised that ill-health retirement is governed by the Department of Finance circular 22/07 which sets out the procedure to be followed, either on the initiative of the employee or of the Department.

The Irish Prison Service commenced the recording of the relevant data in 2006. In the intervening time, 172 employees have retired on grounds of ill health and of that, 13 as a direct result of a recognised injury on duty. Of these 13, 4 involved Injury Warrants applications and all were refused.

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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260. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prison officers that have been medically retired as a direct result of a recognised injury on duty by the chief medical officer in the Civil Service occupational health department in the past 20 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53863/18]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that ill-health retirement is governed by the Department of Finance circular 22/07 which sets out the procedure to be followed, either on the initiative of the employee or of the Department.

Employees can voluntarily apply for retirement on the grounds of ill health. The Chief Medical Officer provides their medical opinion as to whether an employee is incapable on medical grounds of regular and effective service, due to a current ongoing medical condition that is likely to be permanent. The final decision on whether or not a civil servant is granted ill-health retirement lies with the relevant authority having received the Chief Medical Officer’s advice.

Further to my response to Parliamentary Question 228 of 11 December 2018 (as revised), the Irish Prison Service commenced the recording of the relevant data in 2006. In the intervening time, 172 employees have retired on grounds of ill health and of that, 13 as a direct result of a recognised injury on duty.

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