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Role of the Directorate
The Corporate Affairs Directorate has a wide range of responsibilities, which includes co-ordinating the implementation of the Strategic Plan for the Irish Prison Service in addition to monitoring and reviewing progress on the implementation of key change initiatives. This involves three important planning functions:
- monitoring and review of the achievements of the objectives and strategies of the Irish Prison Service Strategy Statement;
- preparation of the annual Business Plan for each prison and Headquarters Directorate, and
- preparation and implementation of the Customer Service Action Plans with an emphasis on improving service delivery.
The Corporate Affairs Directorate also encompasses responsibility for the information technology function for the Service. This function is a key support for management and staff across the Service at some 18 different locations. It provides an essential infrastructure for Operational, Regime, Medical, Financial and Human Resources Directorates.
The Corporate Affairs Directorate is also responsible for a range of other functions including research of the wider environment, which influences the nature and delivery of prison services and statistics (including preparation of the Prison Service annual report) and secretariat to the Prison Authority Interim Board. In addition, the Directorate is responsible for:
- co-ordination of replies to Parliamentary Questions and debates, representations, and Freedom of Information requests;
- supporting the Director General, the Interim Board and Governors on issues affecting the legislative and administrative framework within which the Authority will operate;
- providing policy advice on the interpretation of legislation, prison rules and international instruments in consultation with the Irish Prison Service's legal advisers (the Chief State Solicitor's Office and the Attorney General's Office);
- overseeing the successful implementation of the Prison Rules 2007;
- providing support to the Director General on policies and issues affecting the relationship between the Prison Service and external agencies, both within and outside the State, including other parties in the criminal justice system such as the Courts and An Garda Síochána;
- secretarial services for the Prisons Authority Interim Board, the Prisoner Based Research Ethics Committee and the Director General's appearances before certain Dáil Committees;
- matters relating to accommodation and health, safety and welfare of staff in the Irish Prison Service Headquarters are also the responsibility of the Corporate Services Directorate; and
- business support services, including processing requests for stationary items and catering supplies and organising foreign travel for Irish Prison Service staff.
Contact Details
The Director,
Corporate Services,
Irish Prison Service HQ,
IDA Business Park,
Ballinalee Road,
Longford,
Co. Longford.
Telephone (043) 33 35213
Fax (043) 33 35371
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