Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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1048. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the local complaints procedure for the Irish Prison Service; and when she will extend the Ombudsman’s remit to include complaints from those within the Irish Prison Service. [32329/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will wish to note that a prisoner complaints system was introduced by the Irish Prison Service in November 2012. I am informed that this system was based on a model recommended by the then Inspector of Prisons, the late Judge Michael Reilly. A copy of this Complaints Policy can be found on the website of the Irish Prison Service.

All prisoners have the right to make a complaint at any time and all complaints are treated with the utmost seriousness. As you will appreciate, complaints vary in nature and seriousness - for example, some may relate to conditions of accommodation, quality of food or access to services while other complaints can be more serious such as allegations of assault, mistreatment or intimidation.

The current system categorises complaints according to their nature and seriousness, ranging from the most serious 'Category A' complaint through to a 'Category F' complaint.

Further information on this system, including these categories, is available on the website of the Irish Prison Service at the following link:

The most serious "Category A" complaints are those alleging assault or use of excessive force against a prisoner, or ill treatment, racial abuse, discrimination, intimidation, threats or any other conduct against a prisoner of a nature and gravity likely to bring discredit on the Irish Prison Service. I understand that Category A complaints are investigated by persons outside of the Prison Service.

The introduction and implementation of a new Prison Service Complaints Policy is a priority for the Irish Prison Service and I am advised that work is well advanced on measures to implement the new Policy, which includes a fully integrated IT complaints system to streamline the management of all complaints along with a new appeal process.

More specifically, I understand that a new Complaints Unit has been established in the Irish Prison Service and that training is currently being rolled out to prison staff. Amendments required to the Prison Rules, 2007 are also currently being finalised. I am please to say that I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service expects to introduce the new prisoner complaints system by the end of November 2020.

In addition, it is envisaged the Ombudsman’s Office will extend their remit to include complaints made by prisoners once the system is fully operational.