High levels of sick leave among prison officers is costing over €8 million a year in extra overtime payments, according to the C&AG's report.Prison officer were sick for an average of 19 days last year, more than twice the level in the rest of the Civil Service.
However, the amount of sick leave varies greatly between prisons. Cork prison has the highest level, with officers absent from work for health reasons for an average of 34 days a year.
In contrast, smaller or more modern prisons such as Cloverhill and Loughan House have lower levels, with average rates of 13 and nine days, respectively.
An analysis of the figures shows that a large number of days are taken by a relatively small number of officers.
In Cork Prison, for example, 41 officers have been sick for over six months in the period 2000-2002.
This is more than half the total amount of sick leave in the prison.
The cost of replacing officers on sick leave amounts to about 15 per cent of total overtime payments, according to Mr Purcell.
Rates of sick leave among prison officers in the UK average between 14 and 16 days a year.
According to the Prison Service, there are specific reasons for higher rates of sick leave in some prisons. In Limerick, for example, some officers had been absent from duty for prolonged periods after their homes were attacked and their families intimidated.
The high-security regime in Portlaoise posed particular problems for prison officers. The age profile of officers in Cork and Portlaoise was also considered to be a contributory factor.
