Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

622. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when recruitment will commence for the Irish Prison Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24856/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Irish Prison Service continually monitors the staffing requirements and vacancies that arise as a result of multiple factors including mobility, promotions and retirements, and recruitment campaigns are put in place as required.

Specialised posts such as Prison Doctors, Psychologists, Professional Accountant Grade II, technical grades such as Engineer Grade I and Quantity Surveyor and more general administrative grades such as Prison Clerical Officer have all been recruited relatively recently.

A total of 50 Recruit Prison Officers have been recruited to date in 2022 and it is envisaged that a further 90 will be recruited throughout the remainder of 2022.

I can further advise the Deputy that the Prison Service is currently engaged with the Public Appointments Service with a view to launching a new recruitment campaign for Recruit Prison Officers by the end of quarter 2 of 2022.