Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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538. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to list any awards issued to prison staff involved in apprehending prisoners attempting to escape from Portlaoise prison in the years 1983 to 1989. [36041/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service Staff Recognition Policy was introduced on 1 June 2013.  This policy provides for the presentation of Merit Awards to staff in recognition of their actions.

The Brian Stack Medal, which is the highest honour that can be bestowed on a staff member, is presented by the Minister for Justice in recognition of acts of exceptional personal bravery. Nominations for the award of the Distinguished Services Medal are considered in the event of a prevention of an attempted escape and for an action that preserved life or preventing serious harm to others. The Distinguished Services Medal is awarded by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service.

Following the introduction of the policy in June 2013, nominations were accepted and considered for historical cases. Among those considered were nominations for officers who distinguished themselves through their actions in relation to two incidents in the time period 1983-1989, concerning prisoners attempting to escape from Portlaoise Prison.

One received a Brian Stack Medal for an incident which occurred in 1985 and three officers received a Distinguished Service Medal for an incident which occurred in 1988.

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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539. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there are any files being withheld for national security reasons that relate to the attempted escape of a prisoner on 18 May 1988 at Portlaoise prison. [36042/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that the record in question was previously considered as not suitable for release by the Irish Prison Service.

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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540. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide a prison officer (details supplied) with a copy of his dismissal notice. [36043/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that the person referred to by the Deputy has requested copies of files relating to him and held by the Irish Prison Service on a number of occasions.

I am further advised that he has received a copy of the letter from the Prisons Personnel Section to the Governor of Portlaoise Prison and the subsequent letter from the Governor of Portlaoise to himself informing him of the Government decision to dismiss him from his position as a Prison Officer with effect from 23 May 1989.