Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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264. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the protocols and procedures in place for children in State care to visit parents that are imprisoned in Mountjoy Prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2871/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that the Service is committed to prisoners maintaining the relationships they have with their children.

To that end, the former Director General of the Irish Prison Service established the Families and Imprisonment Group, which is chaired by a prison Governor and includes representatives from Tusla, The Childhood Development Initiative, the Probation Service, the Prison Officers Association and representatives from various prisons. The group was tasked in particular to address the needs of children and families as highlighted in the report published by the Irish Penal Reform Trust entitled ‘Picking up the Pieces: The rights and needs of children and families affected by imprisonment'.

An important element of addressing these needs is the provision of family friendly visits, and refurbishment of visit spaces.

The Visitor Centre in Mountjoy offers a child centred and supportive environment for guardians and children visiting an imprisoned parent. Mountjoy has designated areas to facilitate family visits which include a family friendly space, round tables/family seating and access to play materials.  In addition temporary release for access/visits to children for family occasions is regularly approved in most prisons.

The Irish Prison Service also targets family friendly training to ‘front of house’ staff, which aims to improve staff awareness of the effects of imprisonment on families and allows staff to appropriately support families and children visiting prisons.

 Upon committal to prison all prisoners are provided with a visitor nomination form which they fill out stating the names of the persons they wish to have visit them in prison. Prisoners are then allowed to change two visitors per month on their visitor panel. All adult visitors (over 18) are required to produce photographic ID upon arriving at the prison for a visit in order to gain access. All children (under 18) are recorded numerically on a visit as opposed to by name but must be accompanied by a guardian. All visitors must pass through the security screening area and may also be searched by staff. Information in relation to children visiting prisons is not recorded in the manner which would allow the prison service to extrapolate if a child visiting a prison was under the care of the State at the time of visit.

Finally, I can also inform the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service has enacted the provisions of the Children First Act 2015 in respect of all visit areas. Staff have received mandatory training in Children First and Designated Liaison Persons are located in every prison. There is continual liaison between the Prison Service and Tusla regarding child protection and welfare issues. Where concerns for child welfare arise, the Irish Prison Service report to Tusla, as required under Children First.