Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 December 2025
380. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if there is a rule whereby siblings under the age of 18 when accompanied by a parent are not allowed visit their sibling in Cork Prison; and if so, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68862/25]
View answerThe Irish Prison Service is committed to making visiting a prison as easy and as safe as possible for visitors. The Irish Prison Service understands the importance of helping prisoners maintain and develop relationships with family and friends and is committed to enhancing where possible, and subject to appropriate security considerations, the visiting facilities and regimes for prisoners.
Under the Children’s First Act 2015, all organisations and agencies who are the provider of a service to children (persons under 18 years of age) must ensure as far as is practicable that each child availing of the service is safe from harm.
From the 3rd November 2025 the Irish Prison Service has introduced a new policy whereby all child visitors (persons under 18 years of age) visiting closed prisons are now required to produce a form of identification to enter a prison similar to the way adult visitors currently enter our prisons. As per existing rules all children must be accompanied by an adult. Addressing this issue represents an important component of our overall security strategy, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to prevent any potential misuse of child visitation as a means to compromise the safety and integrity of our prisons.
Child visitors permitted to visit will be limited to the following:
- Son/Daughter
- Step-Son/Step-Daughter
- Grandchildren
Prisoners can make applications to their Governor for permission for other child visitors, including siblings, to be admitted outside of the cohort listed above. Each case is considered on its individual merit where the Governor has satisfied themselves that there are familial links and all known risk and protective factors are taken into account.
The following form of ID for Child Visitors will be accepted:
Birth Cert
Passport
Driver’s License
Garda ID Card
National ID Card
Public Service Card
UK National Insurance Card
Garda National Immigration Card
The Irish Prison Service implemented a full public information campaign in advance of this new policy. This information is available on the Irish Prison Service website (www.irishprisons.ie). This information is located in the ‘Visit a Prison’ section – under Prison Visit Information.
