asked the Minister for Justice what compulsory training is undergone by newly recruited prison officers, before they can take up any duties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Training of Prison Officers.
14.
There are a number of difficulties in the way of giving pre-service training to recruit prison officers——
I cannot hear the Minister. Could he speak a little louder please?
For the benefit of Deputy FitzGerald, whose hearing seems to be defective, the question is in the name of Deputy Bruton who I am sure can hear me.
I cannot hear you.
Neither can I.
The Deputy should not interrupt the Minister when he is answering a question.
If you would put Deputy Harte on the front seat perhaps he could hear.
Question No. 15.
I have not heard Question 14 yet.
It would be very difficult to hear it.
With the disorder of Deputy Harte in front of him and of his own benches, it is very difficult for the Deputy to hear.
I put down this question and I am entitled to an answer. The Minister deliberately lowered his voice.
Will the Deputy please listen?
I did listen and I did not hear the Minister.
If he controlled the disorderly people in front of him the Deputy would hear.
When the Minister was giving his reply there was not any disorder. There was silence in the House. He lowered his voice deliberately. I would ask him to re-read the reply to Question 14.
There are a number of difficulties in the way of giving pre-service training to recruit prison officers. The main difficulty is that, owing to the small irregular intake, there are never sufficient new recruits at any one time to justify a pre-service course. Accordingly, as indicated in my reply to the Deputy last week, the training given is training in service.
Would the Minister not consider, in view of the important role of prison officers in the rehabilitation of prisoners, that they should have some minimum training, even if only for two or three weeks?
The very best training they can get is with experienced officers when starting to learn their job.
But this is after they enter the service.