asked the Minister for Justice the number of prison officer recruits during each of the last five years; and the number of officers who have resigned for reasons other than health over the same period.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prison Officer Recruits.
95.
Beginning with the year 1970 the figures are as follows:
|
1970 |
1971 |
1972 |
1973 |
1974 |
|
|
Recruitment |
28 |
48 |
203 |
152 |
94 |
|
Resignations |
3 |
13 |
13 |
51 |
53 |
(Dublin Central): Would the Minister agree that in the past two years there have been an exceptional number of resignations and does he place any significance on that?
I agree there have been higher numbers than in recent years but there has been a proportionately high number of recruitments. I am advised there is not any particular significance to be attached to the increased figures which bear a normal ratio to the numbers in the service. Some of those figures would include people who were given the option of resigning.
(Dublin Central): Would the Minister agree that the role of a prison officer today and his duty in the past few years have been far more difficult than they were four or five years ago?
This is a statistical question.
It does not follow at all that this is having an adverse effect on the numbers remaining in the service because the number applying have increased greatly. There is no difficulty in obtaining excellent recruits. The reasons why these people have resigned have had nothing to do with conditions of service. The same thing happens in different careers, like the Garda.
Looking at the figures for 1973 and 1974, did the health situation enter into it? Did the Minister exclude people who may have gone for reasons of health?
The reply may have included people who resigned for health reasons. I have not got a breakdown to that degree.