Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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567. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when in-person family visits to prison will resume on a weekly basis with no restriction on the number of visitors or children per visit in order to allow physical contact between visitors and prisoners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7568/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 throughout 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.

I can advise the Deputy that following a short two week suspension in January 2022, the Irish Prison Service recommenced with physical visits to prisoners on Monday 24 January. During the period 24 January to 13 February prisoners were entitled to receive one physical visit per fortnight with a maximum of two visitors allowed during each physical visit, one of whom may be a child (under 18 years of age).

From the 14 February 2022 the number of visitors permitted on a 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 they prefer.

I can further advise the Deputy, that no decision has been taken in relation to the resumption of weekly visits but this matter is under constant review. The Irish Prison Service continues to try to balance the need for infection control with the need to ensure that prisoners continue to receive support from family and friends while in prison.

The high prevalence of Covid-19 in our communities continues to present a high risk of transmission to the prison population and this risk is higher with the increased movement of people into and out of our prisons. In that regard, I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service is currently managing seven Covid-19 outbreaks across the 12 prisons and, as the Deputy will appreciate, additional restrictions will continue to apply in prisons where outbreaks of Covid-19 are ongoing.