Overtime dispute to dominate POA conference in Mayo

The on-going dispute with the Government in relation to the overtime bill in Irish prisons is expected to dominate the agenda at the annual conference of the Prison Officers' Association in Mayo today.

The POA's members have rejected an offer put forward by the Government that would see them working a set number of overtime hours in return for new pay scales and a one-off payment.

The rejection of the deal in a ballot of prison officers came despite a recommendation for acceptance from the POA executive.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell has responded to the vote by vowing to unilaterally implement a cost-cutting programme that will see the closure of two prisons, the privatisation of two others and the privatisation of the prison escort service.

The minister, who faced a walk-out by delegates at the conference two years ago, has turned down an invitation to attend this year.