A handful of prison staff suspended on full pay for discipline reveals Laois Offaly TD

A small number of staff working at of for the Irish Prison Service (IPS) are not working but are being paid in full over discipline issue with some of those awaiting resolution for more than a year.

Figures released to Laois Offaly TD show that the IPS, which runs two prisons in Portlaoise, has put six members of staff on suspension but with full pay pending the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings.

Data released to Laois Offaly TD Carol Nolan showed that one staff member had been suspended for up to three months and a another two were out for three to six months.

A further staff member had not worked for between six months and a year while two employees  were out of work for more than 12 months awaiting the conclusion of their disciplinary processes.

The data provided in reply to a Dáil question on May 8 does not state whether any of the staff involved were prison officers or if any of the reasons for being put on leave. 

Minister McEntee said that there are 90 members of An Garda Síochána (AGS) on suspension and in receipt of suspension allowance, which is equal to full pay.

 Minister McEntee also confirmed that 73 of these members have been suspended for 12 months or more while 10 have been suspended for over six months.

 The final seven have been suspended for less than six months.

Deputy Nolan commented on the Garda figures.

“I think these are really quite striking numbers particularly with respect to the sheer length of time that so many members of An Garda Síochána have been suspended for.

“We know that the Garda Representation Association have consistently raised concerns around this aspect of internal disciplinary procedures and indeed how the Commissioner may be adopting a morale destroying and overly punitive approach.”

“Of course, we must have robust disciplinary procedures. No member should ever think they can act as a law unto him or herself and expect to get away it. Communities and indeed AGS itself must be protected from such people. But we must also have timely processes in place that can allow garda members to have their name cleared and to get back working or to be removed altogether where that is appropriate.

“Having 73 members currently suspended for more than a year clear points to a level of dysfunction that must be examined,” concluded Deputy Nolan.

There is one Department of Justice employee suspended.