asked the Minister for Justice the recruitment to the prison service which is planned in the coming 12 months; when it is likely that the recruitment will be carried out; the number of vacancies there are likely to be filled; the way in which the recruitment will be advertised; to whom persons should apply; and the age limit, if any, which will apply.
Written Answers. - Prison Service Recruitment.
93.
While provision is included in the 1989 Estimates for the appointment of 150 personnel for the prison service, the precise number to be recruited has not yet been finalised.
Recruitment to the prison service is by open competition conducted by the Civil Service Commission, 1 Lower Grand Canal Street, Dublin 2. As panels of qualified candidates remain from the last recruitment competitions, the number to be appointed will determine whether further competitions will have to be held. Such competitions are in the normal course advertised in advance in the national newspapers.
In the last competition, candidates for appointment as prison officer were required to be at the time of the competition at least 19 years of age and under 30 years. For appointment as trades officer candidates were required to be at least 21 years of age and under 40 years.