Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
453. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the details of the wages cost per year for the provision of security at Portlaoise Prison by members of the Defence Forces over the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39013/22]
View answer454. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the number of hours worked per year over the past five years by members of the Defence Forces while providing security at Portlaoise Prison in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39014/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 453 and 454 together.
The Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP), which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so.
Defence Forces personnel acting in an armed Aid to the Civil Power role, deploy troops on the direction of the Government, in order to assist the Prison Service and An Garda Síochána. They provide 24/7, 365 days a year, security at Portlaoise Prison.
Military personnel drawn from all Brigades are mobilised into a special unit for this purpose. Each unit's tour of duty normally lasts for about two months on a four days on, two days off rota basis. In addition to basic pay, prison duty allowance is paid to personnel of the Permanent Defence Force below the rank of Commandant engaged on security duties in Portlaoise prison, currently this daily Prison Duty allowance is between €84.37 and €86.71 depending on rank. There is also a separate on call Portlaoise Hospital Guard Allowance for Enlisted Personnel of €28.12 (weekday) and €56.22 (Sunday and Defence Forces Holiday), for escorting prisoners to medical appointments.
The table below provides the breakdown for the last 5 years of the total number of hours worked based upon the total number of security and support staff provided to Portlaoise Prison. The table also outlines the allowances paid to the Defence Forces while providing security at the Prison. The yearly costs of basic pay, military service allowance or any other allowances paid are not included, as regardless of employment on Prison Duties, Defence Forces personnel are still in receipt of their pay.
|
Description |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Total number of hours worked |
248,000 |
248,000 |
248,000 |
249,000 |
248,000 |
|
Allowances: Portlaoise Prison Duty |
€2,342,066 |
€2,186,567 |
€2,376,619 |
€2,552,424 |
€2,568,951 |
|
Allowances: On-call Hospital Guard Duty |
€61,073 |
€67,454 |
€77,527 |
€86,657 |
€90,274 |
|
Total Prison Duty/Hospital Guard Allowance |
€2,403,139 |
€2,254,021 |
€2,454,146 |
€2,639,081 |
€2,659,225 |
