The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
Staff assigned to the Mountjoy Prison complex:
Senior probation and welfare officers, 1.5; probation and welfare officer, 8.
None of the staff assigned to this prison is on a career break or maternity leave and there are no vacancies.
Out of the Probation and Welfare Service's total approved staffing complement of 247 the numbers on career breaks and maternity leave are:
Career Breaks
Senior probation and welfare officer, 1; probation and welfare officer, 11; clerical assistant typist, 1.
Maternity Leave
Senior probation and welfare officer, 2; probation and welfare officer, 4; clerical assistant typist, 1.
In addition to the number of staff on career breaks and maternity leave, there is one senior probation and welfare officer on secondment, two probation and welfare officers on secondment and three probation and welfare officers on special leave.
There are 18 vacancies in the probation and welfare officer grade at present. It is anticipated that a significant number of these vacancies will be filled in the coming months from a panel currently being finalised by the Civil Service Commission.