Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The additional funding we have sought, which has been specifically identified for the Irish Prison Service, has been to ensure the safety of those who work in the prisons, the prisoners and their families. The Deputy made a valid point. At the outbreak of the pandemic we managed to keep Covid-19 out of the prisons. It was a credit to the Irish Prison Service, the prisoners and their families. Figures have increased in the last number of weeks and months. As of yesterday, 16 November, there were 21 confirmed cases among the prison population. That is spread out among six different prisons. The additional funding is being put in place to support measures to contain this as much as possible.

In addition, there are a significant number of measures such as basic health checks and taking temperatures for all persons and prison staff. There is ongoing revision of physical family visits. The HSE is working with the prisons on testing and tracing and the isolation of suspected cases or prisoners with symptoms to prevent the risk of transmission. The Deputy referred to the length of time prisoners are spending in isolation. The prisons are trying to keep that to a minimum, but where there are suspected cases there is a requirement for it. People over 70 years of age are cocooning, and there is training for the prison staff. Risk assessment is taking place. There are also standard operating procedures and the continuation of strong communication between prison staff and prisoners. A great deal of work has been done and that has been aided by the increased used of video technology, which is part of the Supplementary Estimate.

There is an issue with visits. They have been stopped again because of the level 5 restrictions. It is challenging because as we are in level 5 the physical visits that were booked had to be cancelled and they have had to try to reschedule. Not everybody is able to get a telephone call whenever they wish. They have to go through a process and that includes whether the call is with community support workers or otherwise. There is a reason that people have not been let into the prisons with the pandemic as it is at present, but it is important to point out that the Inspector of Prisons has always been allowed into the prisons throughout the pandemic to ensure that if there are any concerns of prisoners or any issues that have arisen, she and her team have access to them and are able to engage with them in that regard. Some of the issues the Deputy outlined are, perhaps, the issues that have been raised by prisoners.

Separately, and this might be going off track, the focus on prisoners after they leave is a major priority, particularly ensuring that supports are available. A special mental health committee has been established with the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, the Ministers of State, Deputies Butler and Feighan, and myself to look at not just mental health supports in prisons but also the community supports that are available to prisoners when they leave prison. That would include engagement with the NGOs and groups the Deputy mentioned.