The Prison Service is awaiting a statement from the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, today on the next stage in plans to close two prisons after talks on overtime with prison officers failed this week.
The talks between the Prison Service and the Prison Officers Association (POA) failed to achieve a breakthrough in the Labour Relations Commission on Tuesday. They are due to resume on January 12th. Negotiations are aimed at cutting the annual €60 million overtime bill.
Government approval was obtained last month for the contingency plan to wind down or "mothball" two prisons at Fort Mitchell prison on Spike Island, Co Cork, and the Curragh Place of Detention, Co Kildare, with the transfer of prison officers and prisoners elsewhere until a future date.
Additionally, as part of the plan, the running of two open prisons at Loughan House, Co Cavan, and Shelton Abbey, Co Wicklow, is to be transferred to staff outside of the Prison Service. Yesterday, a Prison Service source said that the closures could not happen overnight as prisoners and staff had to be moved.
"I understand the Minister will be making a statement to explain the next stage," he added.
He said that talks were at an impasse but they still hoped that the closures could be averted when talks resumed.
The Labour Commission had asked that both sides reflect on the position.
The number of prisoners in the institutions was quite small and no new prisoners had been sent to them, he said.
In the figures for December 30th/31st, the number of prisoners at Spike Island was 64 when it could hold 102, and 95 in the Curragh which could hold 102. Shelton Abbey had 26 prisoners when it could hold 56.