Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
1276. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice her views on the Prison (Amendment) Rules 2020 S.I. No. 250/2020; her further views on the need for prisons to restore visiting hours for prisoners and to ensure that prisoners who are parents can be visited by all of their children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20122/22]
View answer1294. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice when contact visits will be restored in Mountjoy Prison given that relatives feel that no-contact visits only are having a detrimental impact on families' and inmates' mental health. [20512/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1276 and 1294 together.
I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that they continue to review and modify Covid-19 restrictions which have been in place as a result of the pandemic.
Restrictive measures have been modified in line with the various announcements made by Government and in line with advice from Public Health/HSE and the Irish Prison Service National Infection Control team.
The Service is acutely aware of the need for prisoners to maintain contact with their families and the new video visit system which was introduced in 2020 continues to allow families to maintain contact with those in custody.
Since 14 February 2022 the number of visitors permitted on an in-person visit increased to three people, two of whom may be a child (under 18 years of age).
Prisoners are currently entitled to receive one thirty minute physical visit every fortnight and on the weeks that they are not receiving a physical family visit, prisoners are able to avail of a video visit. Prisoners may also choose to avail of a video visit instead of a physical visit if that is their preference.
Although no decision has yet been taken in relation to the resumption of weekly visits or to allow physical contact on a visit, I can assure the Deputy that these matters are under constant review.
As the Deputy will be aware, we have experienced another significant surge of Covid-19 in our communities recently and this was reflected in our prisons with multiple outbreaks occurring across the estate. This situation continues to present a high risk of transmission to the prison population and this risk is higher with the increased movement of people in and out of our prisons.
