asked the Minister for Justice if there is any need for the deployment of additional security staff to Portlaoise prison, in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Portlaoise Prison Staff.
34.
I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate, for obvious reasons, for me to discuss the details of the staffing arrangements at Portlaoise prison. The security requirements at the prison can vary from time to time and this is reflected in the level of staffing there. For this reason the level of staffing at the prison is kept under continous review. I might, however, add that approximately 200 staff are currently being recruited for the Prison Service generally — primarily as a measure to reduce overtime expenditure — and some of those staff will be assigned to Portlaoise prison.