Vol. 572 No. 2
192 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures the Government intends to take to bring down the costs of incarceration; the measures his own Department intends to take; and his views on whether cross-Departmental efforts are needed to achieve this end. [22801/03]
The costs of imprisonment to which the Deputy refers are based on different cost factors across the prison system. However, the main cost element involved is the cost of staffing a prison. In a prison such as Portlaoise, where an exceptionally high cost per prisoner exists, staff costs reflect the intensive security requirements involved.
Nevertheless, I regard the level of costs arising as unsustainable and I am actively pursuing the application of more efficient staffing arrangements, particularly those which involve reducing overtime. In this regard, I refer the Deputy to my recent reply to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 19 June last concerning my proposals for the ending of overtime by prison officers and the position regarding negotiations with The Prison Officers' Association. A proposal for change currently with the staff side for ballot involves organisational change and revised working and attendance arrangements for staff. It is aimed at replacing overtime costs by adopting a more efficient annual hours attendance system.
The current overtime costs in the Prison Service are running at an estimated €63 to €64 million per annum, which constitutes a major element of the costs of imprisonment. The Prison Service proposal to eliminate overtime holds out the prospect of substantial savings annually and consequently the costs of imprisonment would be likewise substantially reduced.
I am fully committed to addressing the problem of Prison Service costs and I am keen to secure staff agreement for the measures necessary to reduce those costs. In the event that agreement is not forthcoming, I will have no option but to introduce a range of short and long-term measures to reduce Prison Service expenditure. While I am hopeful that agreement can still be reached, my officials have recently informed staff representatives that plans will be refined and action will follow if, by the end of this month, an agreed way forward is not in prospect.
