113. Mr. NUGENTasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the total amount of the economies to be effected by the reorganisation scheme to be introduced in the Irish prisons service; what is the estimated sum which will be required to provide the proposed increase in the pay of the prison officials; what sum of money will be saved annually by the discontinuance of allowances to married warders; what is the net increase given to the chief and ordinary warders and clerks; what amount, if any, will be required to increase the salaries of governors and other officials above the position of clerks; and what reduction will be secured in the amount required for the Irish prisons service as a result of the reorganisation scheme?
§ Mr. DUKEIt is estimated that the savings will ultimately amount to about £1,200 per annum. The estimated sum which will be required to provide the proposed increase in the pay of the prison officers is £4,100. Of this amount £2,100 will, it is estimated, be saved by the discontinuance of allowances to married warders of fuel and light in kind or cash allowances in lieu. The net immediate increase to chief and ordinary warders and clerks is estimated to amount to £l,450, the balance of £550 being absorbed by the increase granted to female officers. There is no question of an increase to the salaries of governors and other superior officers. It is anticipated that the Irish Prisons Vote for the year 1917–18 will show an increase of £4,000 as compared with that for the current financial year.
Mr. NUGENTIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that a large number of warders, instead of receiving any benefit from this new arrangement, receive quite the opposite; will he investigate the matter and see whether there is any undue hardship being placed upon the warders who have been accustomed, up to the present, to receive certain grants and privileges?