Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2022
579. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the policy for family members to provide clothes to persons in prison; if they can be hand-delivered; if there will be any changes in this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59105/22]
View answerI am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Irish Prison Service stopped receiving property at prison entrances as an infection control measure. Property was only received by post which allowed for it to be quarantined for a suitable period of time. While this had an impact on families it was a necessary measure at the time in the exceptional circumstances that applied.
As part of the ongoing unwinding of Covid-19 restrictions, the Irish Prison Service has recommenced accepting prisoner property at prison entrances. The Irish Prison Service advise me that they will issue a reminder to all prisons regarding the need to accept prisoner property from families during visits to the prison.
