Prison officers lock up deal to end overtime row

Cormac O’Keeffe

In a landmark decision, the 3,200 members of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) voted by 70% to accept a deal, which will save the Prison Service an estimated 30 million a year.

Under the new annualised hours system, prison officers will work, on average, seven hours overtime a week. In return, each will get a one-off lump sum of E13,750 and earn a salary of E48,000 to E70,000.