Written answers
Tuesday, 10 May 2022
Department of Justice and Equality
Child Protection
Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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659. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of women in prison who have children who are in the care of Tusla; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23258/22]
Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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660. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of women in prison who have children who are in the care of relatives or family friends through kinship care arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23259/22]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 659 and 660 together.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that details of the number of women in prison who have children who are in the care of Tusla, or the number of women in prison who have children who are in the care of relatives or family friends, are not currently collated. Furthermore, there is no obligation on any woman in prison to provide the Irish Prison Service with such information.
The Deputy will wish to note that a statistical snapshot of Thursday 31 March 2022 indicates that there were 158 women in custody - 28 women in Limerick prison and 130 women in the Dochás Centre.
Of that figure, 122 (100 in the Dóchas Centre and 22 in Limerick Prison) or 77% of these women have self-reported that they have children. Details are set out in the table below.
| Women who have reported having children | No children | Not Declared | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limerick Female Prison | 22 | 6 | 0 | 28 |
| Mountjoy Female Prison | 100 | 26 | 4 | 130 |
| Total | 122 | 32 | 4 | 158 |
It is important to note that these figures can include adult children and statistics regarding details of children are self-reported by the person in custody, who may decide not to disclose or declare such details.
The Prison Service is facilitating the circulation of a confidential survey among women in prison, on behalf of Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT), the purpose of which is to understand their experiences in regards to the placement of their children in care, if applicable. Again, these results will rely on self-reporting.
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