Parliamentary Question: Prison Staff

17th December 2003

274. Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans for the future of Loughan House Open Centre, Blacklion, County Cavan; the staffing implications, including the number of staff to be employed or retained; if a public-private partnership is envisaged; the relocation, early retirement and pension arrangements for existing staff at the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31693/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): I draw the Deputy's attention to the Adjournment debates on the 12 and 19 November 2003, on the possible transfer to another agency of the running of both Loughan House in County Cavan and Shelton Abbey in County Wicklow.
The Government decision of 11 November last involves the progressive implementation, from 1 January 2004, of a number of measures in the event of failure to reach agreement with the Prison Officers' Association, POA, on the proposed change agenda aimed at eliminating overtime payments and reducing other costs in the Prison Service. These measures include the making of arrangements for the transformation of the open centres at Loughan House, Blacklion, County Cavan, and Shelton Abbey, Arklow, County Wicklow, into post-release centres for the reintegration into society of prisoners on conditional temporary release. The Irish Prison Service is carefully examining the exact arrangements which need to be put in place to give effect to this aspect of the Government decision.
I have already made it clear, however, that I have no desire to take away the running of Loughan House and Shelton Abbey from the Irish Prison Service.

I want the POA to agree to a reasonable and sustainable cost structure for the continued operation by them of our prisons and the open centres. However, if a consensus is not possible, I will have no option but to proceed, as soon as possible, with arrangements for the alternative operation of both Loughan House and Shelton Abbey and the other measures contained in the Government decision. The Prison Service will arrange for the transfer of prison officers from these locations to other prisons.
In the meantime, contacts between the Irish Prison Service and the Prison Officers' Association are ongoing and a joint approach to the Labour Relations Commission which, it is hoped, will assist in breaking the current deadlock in negotiations, is underway.