Jim Higgins
Ceist:338 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the next recruitment of prison officers will take place; and the number to be recruited. [18961/99]
Written Answers - Prison Service.
The Civil Service Commission is in the process of recruiting prison officers from a competition which was held last year. So far 350 have been recruited from this competition and a further intake of 250 is planned. It is anticipated that this recruitment will continue well into the year 2000. This recruitment programme will meet the staffing needs arising from the opening of the new prisons at Cloverhill, Mountjoy Women's Prison and the Midlands (Portlaoise). At this stage, the Civil Service Com mission plan to hold the next competition early in 2001.
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:339 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the minimum height requirements for persons entering the prison service; if he will confirm that this height is applied to all prison officers; the procedures by which person may be exempted from this requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19013/99]
The regulations governing the prison officer competition specify a minimum height requirement of 57 for a male candidate and 54 for a female candidate.
The selection process for persons entering the prison service is a matter for the Civil Service Commission who inform me that each candidate who is successful at interview is invited to a medical examination. These examinations are undertaken by a doctor nominated by the Civil Service Commissioners and during the examination the candidate is measured and his/her height is recorded on a medical report. The medical report is returned to the chief medical officer who advises the Civil Service Commissioners in relation to each candidate's medical suitability including height requirement.
The regulations governing the prison officer competition are legal and binding. Therefore there are no exemptions from the height requirement.