Northern Ireland Prison Service confirms first female Covid-19 case belfastlive.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from belfastlive.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Scores of Government bodies, the armed forces and even the gambling regulator will legally be allowed to use child spies - including against their parents.
Police and the security services are among those who will be allowed to use under-18s as covert human intelligence sources (CHIS) under exceptional circumstances according to official documents.
But guidance for the Covert Intelligence Bill, currently going through the Lords, outlines other public bodies who will be allowed to employ them as undercover agents.
As well as police, MI5, MI6 and the National Crime Agency, they include the Gambling Commission, county and district councils, the Environment Agency and the Food Standards Agency.
The Minister also commended prison staff for their work to support people in their care through the pandemic with over 25,000 virtual visits taking place since their introduction in April.
Naomi Long said, “Having even a small number of virtual visits for people in prison on Christmas Day is a fantastic achievement by everyone in the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
“This is the first time this has happened.
“And I want to commend everyone involved for making it possible.
“Keeping prisoners connected with their families is a key part of rehabilitation and this will allow some people with young children, and some foreign nationals, the opportunity to engage and connect with their loved ones at this special time of the year.