Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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636. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the provisions that have been made for prison officers in the very high-risk health category in respect of being assigned to other duties outside of prison settings and-or the option of working from home. [35221/20]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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637. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration has been given to assigning prison officers to contact-tracing duties in the context of Covid-19 in instances in which the prison officer is in a high-risk health category and-or has an underlying health condition (details supplied). [35222/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 636 and 637 together.

I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that it is not possible for prison based employees to work from home as they are essential, frontline workers. I understand that a small number of Irish Prison Service staff have been deemed by the Civil Service Chief Medical Officer to be in the higher risk category in relation to Covid 19 and have been assigned to alternative duties, where possible.

Any staff member who is concerned about their personal situation is encouraged to engage with prison management as there are a number of options which can be considered, if required. A number of staff have been reassigned to work in the Irish Prison Service National Contact Tracing Team and priority is given to staff deemed to be in the higher risk category. Staff may also engage with prison management to identify alternative duties in areas of their prison which would reduce their contact with colleagues and prisoners.

It should be noted that the Irish Prison Service has implemented a range of measures to minimise the risks associated with Covid 19 within the prison environment and provides a range of Personal Protective Equipment to staff for their protection.