Parliamentary Question: Prison Staff

29th January 2003

808. Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of staff employed or based in Shanganagh Castle prison; the occupations and responsibilities of these staff members; the salaries of these staff members; and the cost to the State, inclusive of salary, of maintaining staff in Shanganagh Castle. [1111/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): I signed an order on 16 December 2002 directing that Shanganagh Castle cease to operate as a place of detention on and from 20 December 2002. At the time of closure, there were 44 Irish Prison Service staff based at Shanganagh Castle.
The staffing complement was composed of: management grades - one governor and one assistant governor. The governor and assistant governor are responsible for the overall management of the institution and for the supervision of all staff and offenders. In the supervisory grade there was one chief officer II. This officer is responsible for the overall supervision and control of all prison service personnel and offenders. There were seven assistant chief officers. These officers report to the chief officer and carry out first line supervisory functions. In administration there was one clerk I, the officer in charge of general office administration and two clerk II. These officers carry out general administration duties and report to the clerk I.

In maintenance there is one chief trades officer, which position was vacant, who is responsible for the maintenance of the institution. There were five trades officers who report to the chief trades officer. They are qualified craftsmen: electrician, plumber, plasterer, carpenter and painter. There was one nurse officer who provides general nursing care to offenders. There were 24 prison officers. These officers report to the assistant chief officers, supervise offenders and perform general security duties. Arrangements have been put in place for the re-assignment, and any necessary re-training, of the staff. There were also a part time chaplain and two part-time doctors employed at Shanganagh Castle.

The Irish Prison Service staffing costs of running Shanganagh Castle during 2002 amounted to: basic pay - €1,575,000; allowances - €371,000; overtime - €646,000; employers PRSI - €51,000. Total staff costs in 2002 were €2,643,000. Finally, a number of teachers were employed by the County of Dublin VEC at Shanganagh Castle. Their staffing costs were met by the VEC.