Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2017
112. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the Prison Service will recruit staff in the near future; the procedures to be used; her views on the fact that applicants that already hold the relevant custodial care qualification must go through stages one and two of the recruitment process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11476/17]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that a competition for Recruit Prison Officer was advertised by the Public Appointments Service in 2016 with a closing date of 28 July 2016. The terms and conditions for this competition were set out in the booklet for the competition.
Any person interested in the role of Recruit Prison Officer is required to go through the recruitment process which was provided for in the booklet. The Irish Prison Service does not give preference to individuals who may have served in the role of prison officer in other jurisdictions. It is of course open to such individuals, where appropriate, to highlight whatever experience or skills they may have acquired abroad in the course of the recruitment process.
During the competency based interview candidates can draw on their experience from whatever context, be it in a similar role elsewhere or other unrelated role.
