Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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54. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of cases of Covid-19 detected in Irish prisons since March 2020; the number of prison officers, prisoners or other staff diagnosed with Covid-19 in each prison; the number of tests carried out to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41282/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Prison Service as of 4 December 2020 there have been 22 confirmed cases of Covid-19 identified amongst the prisoner population.

Of the 22 cases, 15 were community based infections and were detected by the early intervention testing of all new committals to prison.  The remaining 7 cases were prisoners in general population.

A breakdown of location is set out in the attached table.  

The Irish Prison Service further advise me that they can only provide details relating to prisoners and details relating to prison staff are a matter for Public Health HSE and are not released for operational and confidentiality reasons.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Irish Prison Service has put in place an extensive range of measures to prevent Covid-19 transmission within prisons, detect early any possible infection in a prisoner or staff member and prevent the spread of infection should there be a confirmed case. This includes the testing of all new committals to prison for Covid-19.

In addition, all prisoners who are symptomatic for Covid-19 or who are identified as a close contact of a suspected or confirmed case are also tested.

I am advised that from the 13 March 2020 to 25 November 2020,  a total of 4,124 Covid-19 swab tests have been undertaken in the prison population.

I am pleased to say that the Irish Prison Service continues to manage the risks and challenges posed by Covid-19 in line with public health guidelines and in accordance with the Government Framework for Living with Covid-19. 

In addition to prisoner testing on committal, a range of measures have been introduced during the pandemic including: 

- The introduction of a basic health check, including taking of temperatures for all persons, including staff, entering prisons since 29 March 2020; 

- Isolation of a suspected case or a prisoner with symptoms to prevent the risk of transmission of infection; 

- Comprehensive training for IPS staff in infection control practices and the provision of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment across the prison estate; 

- Conducting of risk assessments and putting in additional controls where identified, such as the mandatory wearing of surgical masks for all staff.