Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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447. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to ongoing concerns by prison staff regarding bullying and having to work excessive hours without appropriate breaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18583/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I have been advised by the Irish Prison Service that they are not aware of any prison staff working without being in receipt of any breaks.

All prison grades work an average 39 hour rostered week. In addition to this many staff members also work a set amount of additional hours for which officers receive a payment at a premium rate. The additional hours worked by prison grades are at varying bands and can amount to 112, 240 or 360 additional hours annually.

I am also advised that all agreed rosters for attendance of prison staff contain a number of rostered breaks varying from 20 minutes to 1 hour depending on the relevant shift pattern being worked by a particular staff member.