Negotiations on prison overtime changes collapse

Negotiations between the Prison Service and the Irish Prison Officers’ Association about the Government’s plans to radically change the overtime system have collapsed.

The talks broke down last night after the two facilitators said they could not bring them to a successful conclusion.

The two sides were discussing the Government’s plans to increase prison officers’ working hours and limit the amount of overtime they can undertake.

The move is designed to save money, with prison overtime currently costing the State €60m annually.