Deal to reduce €59m prison overtime bill far from complete

A DEAL to reduce the €59 million prison overtime bill is still far from complete with less than two weeks to go to the agreement deadline.

The Prison Officer’s Association (POA) has warned that the 90-day negotiation period imposed by Justice Minister Michael McDowell is not realistic.

“Discussions are ongoing but we’ve got to work out a deal for 17 institutions which are so different, it’s unbelievable,” deputy general secretary Eugene Dennehy said.