Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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207. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will confirm that period products are readily available for all women in Dóchas and Limerick prisons and that the prisoners are not obliged to ask for or buy period products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22476/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am aware that issues regarding the availability of period products featured in the recent Covid-19 Thematic reports from the Inspector of Prisons. I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that period products are available free of charge for all women in the Dóchas Centre and Limerick Prison and I can assure the Deputy that all women in Dóchas Centre and Limerick prison have access to sufficient supply of these and other products such as toiletries.

I am informed that the procedures for the distribution of period packs to women in the Dóchas Centre is that each woman is provided with a monthly pack, which can be requested through the prison Red Cross Volunteer Group. Requests for these products were previously made to the Class Officer.  In Limerick prison a range of period products are available for the women and a monthly provision is provided, on request, from a dedicated female prison officer at the prison reception.  Upon request, additional products can be provided and I can assure the Deputy that those in custody are not charged for these essential personal items. 

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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208. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will outline the regular on-site therapeutic sexual violence supports that are available to women in Dóchas and Limerick prisons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22477/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I want to assure the Deputy that a range of prison and in-reach services are made available to women in custody who are victims of sexual violence. Victimisation due to sexual violence requires both trauma-informed and trauma-specific interventions in the prison context and trauma-specific services which are clinical services including psychotherapy, counselling, addiction services, psychology, psychiatry and specialist nursing support among others.

More specifically, the Psychology Service in both the Déchas Centre and Limerick Prison provide bespoke mental health assessment and interventions for victims of sexual violence. In this regard the first full time permanent Senior Clinical Psychologist in Limerick Prison commenced work the week beginning 2 May 2022 and will will work closely with the Senior Clinical Psychologist in Dochas Centre in developing consistent, trauma-specific services for women in custody.

Separately, crisis support is provided by the Nursing Team, who are on-site 24 hours a day and by Primary Care GP, with assessment by the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit if required. Further therapeutic referrals are made as appropriate to the Rape Crisis Centre (psychotherapist on-site in both prisons), psychiatry, Merchant’s Quay and other services as required and I understand that contact with An Garda Síochána is supported in parallel, as appropriate to the individual’s context.

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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209. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when physical contact with visiting children will recommence in all prisons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22478/22]

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 as a result of the pandemic.

The most recent significant surge of Covid-19 in our communities was also reflected in our prisons with multiple outbreaks occurring across the estate. This situation continues to present a high risk of transmission to the prison population and this risk is higher with the increased movement of people in and out of our prisons.

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. The Service is acutely aware of the need for prisoners to maintain contact with their families and the new video visit system which was introduced in 2020 continues to allow families to maintain contact with those in custody.

Since 14 February 2022 the number of visitors permitted on an in-person 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 one video visit. Prisoners may also choose to avail of a video visit instead of a physical visit if that is their preference. Although no decision has yet been taken in relation to the resumption of weekly visits, non-screened visits will recommence from Monday 9 May 2022 subject to necessary infection control measures. This will allow for physical contact between prisoners and their children. The potential return to weekly visits will be kept under constant review.