Prison officers meet to decide on overtime proposals
The Prison Officers Association is holding a special delegate meeting today to decide whether to accept the Government's proposals in relation to prison overtime.
Justice Minister Michael McDowell is offering a one-off payment and a salary increase in return for agreement from the prison officers to work seven hours' overtime every week.
The move is designed to reduce the annual prison overtime bill of around €60m.
The POA’s membership has already rejected the deal, but the association’s leadership has agreed to review this stance in light of the attitude adopted by Mr McDowell.
The minister has threatened to immediately privatise the prison escort service if the proposals are rejected again today.
He is also threatening to make the closure of prisons at Spike Island and the Curragh permanent and to remove two other jails from the control of the Prison Service.
