Vol. 513 No. 3
271 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications for transfer made by prison officers; the number awaiting decision; the average length of time for the outcome of an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2226/00]
There are currently 1,040 transfer applications in respect of basic grade prison officers on hand at present. Included in this figure are multiple applications from individual officers who have applied to be transferred to a number of prisons.
Prison officers are recruited for general prison service, and conditions of service make it clear that they may be assigned to any prison or place of detention, as required. The current recruitment campaign which commenced in late 1997 has been specifically to staff the new prisons at Castlerea, Mountjoy Women's, Cloverhill and the midland's – Portlaoise.
Officers are initially assigned to prisons depending on the exigencies of the service. In general, subsequent transfers are effected on a seniority basis. The length of time an officer is required to wait before a transfer application is successful depends on a number of factors, namely, the location sought and whether, in fact, there are any vacancies, the officer's seniority and the existing waiting list for transfers to the prison concerned. In general most applications are in respect of prisons located outside the Dublin city area where vacancies will be infrequent, and applicants are required to wait longer than is the case in respect of Dublin city-based institutions.
272 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of male and female prison officers; the number of these job sharing; the further number of applications for job sharing being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2227/00]
There are 2,762 male and 390 female serving prison staff at present, of whom 15 male and 35 female officers are currently job-sharing. A further four applications for job-sharing are under consideration.
