Vol. 436 No. 3
10 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice the reason experience in the Australian prison service is not recognised to exempt or give credit in respect of examination and interview for entry to the Irish prison service; and if this restrictive policy also applies in respect of service in EC prison services.
Recruitment to the Prison service is conducted by the Civil Service Commission in accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners Act, 1956. There is no provision for exemptions of the kind mentioned in the qualifying and competitive tests held in conjuction with the competition.
Relevant experience, such as experience gained in the prison service of another jurisdiction, would, of course, be taken into account at the competitive interview stage.
Is it not reasonable when recruiting staff to take into account the work experience of a person in the prison service of another jurisdiction as he or she may be able to bring a different viewpoint to the prison service? Does she not agree that this would be beneficial and that it should be considered?
I am sure it would be beneficial to the prison service. I said that while it is not taken into account in the competitive tests it would most certainly be taken into account at the interview stage.
