228. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of complaints made by prisoners and or their families regarding breaches of privacy to the Irish Prison Service over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24891/19]

I am advised that the Irish Prison Service sought clarification from the Deputy's Office regarding the type of breach being referred to in this PQ. The Deputy's Office rephrased the question as follows:

To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality, the number of breaches of confidence related to the personal or private information of a prisoner during the period of May 2018-May 2019, as set out under Rule 51 of the Prison Rules 2007.

I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that they have received 8 complaints in the past twelve months from prisoners or their families in relation to alleged breaches of privacy.

The Irish Prison Service takes all complaints of breaches of privacy very serious and all complaints are investigated to ascertain the nature of the breach. Following an investigation a complaint may be upheld, complaint may be refused or there may be insufficient evidence to determine the source of the alleged breach.