Prison overtime dispute set for resolution

The long-running dispute over prison officers’ overtime is reportedly on the brink of being resolved following recommendations from an independent arbitrator.

Reports this morning said the dispute was set to be resolved during discussions on the matter at the Labour Relations Commission today.

The recommendations are believed to include a €43.6m compensation payment to prison officers over the next three years in return for an agreement to work 340 hours of overtime every year on a fixed rota basis.

The Irish Prison Officers Association had rejected a smaller compensation offer from the Prison Service last year, but reports this morning said the association backed the new deal and would recommend that it be ratified when put to a ballot.