Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 December 2018
260. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prison officers that have been medically retired as a direct result of a recognised injury on duty by the chief medical officer in the Civil Service occupational health department in the past 20 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53863/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the 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.
Employees can voluntarily apply for retirement on the grounds of ill health. The Chief Medical Officer provides their medical opinion as to whether an employee is incapable on medical grounds of regular and effective service, due to a current ongoing medical condition that is likely to be permanent. The final decision on whether or not a civil servant is granted ill-health retirement lies with the relevant authority having received the Chief Medical Officer’s advice.
Further to my response to Parliamentary Question 228 of 11 December 2018 (as revised), 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.
