The Workplace Relations Commission has ordered the Irish Prison Service to pay prison officer Kim Dempsey €60,000 after finding it failed to provide reasonable accommodation for her return to work. The decision is dated 24 November 2025.
Dempsey complained that the Service discriminated against her on grounds of disability, including by not accommodating her return and failing to notify her of vacancies and competitions. The Service said the roles considered involved prisoner contact or potential conflict, and that changes to the duties would make them unworkable or unnecessary.
The WRC also directed the Service to find a position that would allow Dempsey to continue working as a prison officer, involving her in discussions and decisions about the role. It set a three-month limit for completing that task.