Prison Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2023

Tuesday, 10 October 2023

Questions (338)

Paul Murphy

Question:

338. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if, in relation to officers in the Irish Prison Service who is compelled to leave their role at the age of 60 years, she is aware that nothing is put in place to enable persons in this position to move to another role within other areas of the civil or public service without having to start at the entry-level, ignoring relevant experience gained in their role as officers in the Irish Prison Service; if she will ensure a seamless transition into appropriate roles for these officers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43512/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The Deputy will appreciate that it is the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR), rather than my Department, which has overall responsibility for public service terms and conditions of employment.

I can inform the Deputy that the retiring age of 60 years for prison officers to whom the Superannuation (Prison Officers) Act, 1919 applies is set out at section 8(1)(a) of the Civil Service Regulation Act, 1956 (as amended).

Upon exiting the Irish Prison Service, the Prison Service has no role in the future employment of a departed staff member. The Commission for Public Service Appointments was established on 19 October 2004 under the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act, 2004 and it is the principal regulator of recruitment and selection in the Irish public service and civil service.

Any retired Civil or Public Servant under 70 who applies for any recruitment competition held under the auspices of the Public Appointments Service, and is successful in obtaining employment as a result of such a competition, may apply under the terms of the appropriate circular, (D/PER Circular 08/2019) to be considered for incremental credit on commencement of their new role.