asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether the new regulations governing appointments to the permanent Prisons Service are such as to debar practically all the temporary warders now serving; whether the great majority of these temporary warders volunteered to join the National Army last year and were requested to remain at their posts; and whether, in view of the valuable experience they have gained, he will consider the desirability of making them eligible for the permanent service, subject to their passing a medical test.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - APPOINTMENTS TO PRISON SERVICE.
The regulations governing appointments to the permanent Prisons Service do not debar temporary warders who are within the prescribed limits of age (i.e., 20 to 30 years). Before appointment to the permanent service candidates will be required to satisfy the Civil Service Commissioners that their character and health are satisfactory, and that they are sufficiently educated in certain prescribed subjects. In the cases of persons who have practical experience of a trade, or who have served with the National Forces, the maximum limit of age is extended to 35 years. I am not prepared to authorise a similar extension for all temporary warders. In July, 1922, a number of temporary warders volunteered for service in the Army, but it was not convenient to release these men from the Prisons Service.
Will the Minister consider the desirability of allowing the extension of the age limit applicable for men who served in the Army to apply also to men who volunteered for service in the Army, but who were not allowed to go because their services were required in the prison?
Mr. O'HIGGINS
The alterations in the regulations were made to enable the men who served with the National Forces to be employed up to 35 years of age. The suggestion underlying the question was that because some temporary warders volunteered for service in the Army and were not released no age limit should apply to any temporary warder for appointment to the permanent service. That is something that we are not prepared to concede. The records of the Department show that not more than 29 volunteered on the 22nd of July, and of these eight were over the age of 40.