Prison Officer Recruitment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2012

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

Questions (1021)

Denis Naughten

Question:

1039 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason qualifications being studied for at the time of the commencement of the prison officer recruitment process cannot be recognised for the education qualification requirements, in view of the fact that the recruitment process is ongoing for almost four years and the educational assessment is only being performed at the present time; his views that such a condition will discourage those currently unemployed to up-skill for future competitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19444/12]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter)

I wish to inform the Deputy that the Public Appointments Service and the Irish Prison Service conducted the 2008 Open Campaign for Recruit Prison Officer in compliance with the codes of practice prepared by the Commissioners for Public Service Appointments.

The information booklet for the competition, which was made available to all candidates, stated that "To be eligible for selection as a Recruit Prison Officer, an applicant must, on the 1st September 2008, have obtained a minimum level of educational qualification". This eligibility criteria was the same for all candidates who applied for the competition.

As for the future, the current minimum educational qualifications are set out publicly for all job-seekers who wish to upskill to a sufficient level in preparation for any such competitions.