asked the Minister for Justice the qualifications at present required for candidates who seek to enter the Prison Service; if any special course or training is made available to the successful candidates and, if so, what these courses are and how long it takes to complete them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prison Service Candidates.
30.
The qualifications for admission to competitions for posts as prison officers are specified in regulations made by the Civil Service Commissioners, with the consent of the Minister for Finance. Copies of the current regulations have been placed in the Dáil Library.
The qualifications include conditions as to age and physical requirements but the main qualification is, of course, that candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability, and be suitable, to enter on the discharge of the duties of the post. The general suitability of candidates is assessed in interviews conducted by a board established by the Civil Service Commissioners.
A special training course for successful candidates was instituted a few years ago but, because of staffing difficulties, it had to be discontinued temporarily. The course is now being revived and developed to form the basis for a comprehensive training programme which will be initiated later this year.
Is there any formal aptitude test conducted on the applicants?
I am not aware that there is any formal aptitude test. This is a matter which will have to be assessed by the interview board in the normal knowledge of what is required for this particular post.
Would the Minister not agree that for a sensitive position such as this one aptitude is a very important ingredient?
I quite agree that aptitude is an essential ingredient and if there are experienced police officers on the board they will identify aptitude quickly.
Has the Minister available to him the subjects covered in the course?
I have not that information here but I believe in general terms it will involve lectures by welfare officers, psychologists and other persons who will be competent to instruct trainee prison officers in the best and most modern approach to the whole matter of the penal system.
Does the Minister consider that police officers are sufficiently qualified to be able to judge the aptitude of the various applicants?
I did not mean to say that police officers would be the persons who would be judging the aptitude of the applicants.
I understood that is what the Minister said.
I should have said prison officers.