Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 December 2018
228. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prison officer staff forced to retire due to injury sustained in the performance of official duties in each the past 25 years to date; the location of each prison the officer last worked in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51649/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Acting Director General of the Irish Prison Service that employees can voluntarily apply for retirement on the grounds of ill health in the event that the Chief Medical Officer finds them incapable on medical grounds of regular and effective service, due to a current ongoing medical condition that is likely to be permanent. This procedure is governed by the Department of Finance circular 22/07 which sets out the procedure to be followed, either on the initiative of the employee or of the Department. I am further advised that it is extremely rare that a Government Department would initiate ill health retirement.
The Irish Prison Service commenced the recording of the relevant data in 2009 and is in a position to provide details from then until now. During that time, approximately 54 employees retired on grounds of ill health as a direct result of a recognised injury on duty. The information requested in relation to prison location is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy in the coming days.
The following revised reply was received on 18 December 2018
I am advised by the Acting Director General of the Irish Prison Service that ill-health retirement is governed by the Department of Finance circular 22/07 which sets out the procedure to be followed, either on the initiative of the employee or of the Department.
The Irish Prison Service commenced the recording of the relevant data in 2006. In the intervening time, 172 employees have retired on grounds of ill health and of that, 13 as a direct result of a recognised injury on duty.
The location in which the 13 Officers worked is as follows:
Year, Number, Location
2006, 2 -1 Cork, 1 Portlaoise
2007, 0
2008, 1, Midlands
2009, 1, Prison Service Escort Corp
2010 to 2014, 0
2015, 2 - 1 Limerick, 1 Midlands
2016, 3 - 1 Cork, 1 Mountjoy, Prison Service Escort Corp
2017, 2 - 1 Castlerea, 1 Portlaoise
2018, 2, Cork
