Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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149. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when full family visits will recommence in the prisons across the country in view of the general lifting of restrictions in society and the long period during which such visits were not possible from early 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16185/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that they continue to review and modify Covid-19 restrictions which have been in place throughout the pandemic.

Restrictive measures have been modified in line with the various announcements made by Government and in line with advice from Public Health/HSE and the Irish Prison Service National Infection Control team.

Following a short two week suspension in January 2022, the Prison Service recommenced with physical visits to prisoners on Monday 24 January. During the period 24 January to 13 February prisoners were entitled to receive one physical visit per fortnight with a maximum of two visitors allowed during each physical visit, one of whom may be a child (under 18 years of age).

From the 14 February 2022 the number of visitors permitted on a visit increased to three people, two of whom may be a child (under 18 years of age). Prisoners are currently entitled to receive one thirty minute physical visit every fortnight and on the weeks that they are not receiving a physical family visit, prisoners are able to avail of a video visit. Prisoners may also choose to avail of a video visit instead of a physical visit if they prefer.

I can further advise the Deputy, that no decision has yet been taken in relation to the resumption of weekly visits but this matter is under constant review.

I can assure the Deputy that I fully appreciate how challenging these restrictive measures are for both prisoners and their families. I am very aware of the importance of assisting prisoners to maintain close contact with family and friends while in custody. Families and friends play and important and supportive role in the rehabilitation of prisoners and in their preparation for life post release.

This is an issue that the management of the Irish Prison Service are also cognisant of and they have at all times sought to minimise the impact of such measures.

The Service continues to try to balance the need for infection control with the need to ensure that prisoners continue to receive support from family and friends while in prison.

The high prevalence of Covid-19 in our communities continues to present a high risk of transmission to the prison population and this risk is higher with the increased movement of people into and out of our prisons.

Updates on the operation of physical family visits are published on a regular basis on the Irish Prison Service website, www.irishprisons.ie, and twitter account, @IrishPrisons.