Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 May 2017
70. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prison officers who were employed by the State in 2008; the number of prison officers who are currently employed by the State; the ratio of prison guards to prisoners in 2008 and currently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21235/17]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Prison Service that there were 3,462 WTE (whole time equivalent) prison grade staff employed by the State in 2008, with a ratio of prison grade staff to prisoners of 0.91:1.
As of 31 March, 2017, there were 3,203 WTE prison grade staff employed by the State, with a ratio of prison grade staff to prisoners of 0.72:1.
I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that in 2016, the Public Appointments Service launched a recruitment campaign for Recruit Prison Officers, the first since 2008.
It is intended to recruit approximately 80 new Recruit Prison Officers in 2017 and a further 216 Recruit Prison Officers in 2018.
