Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Presumably, the Deputy is referring to recent reports regarding the number of prisoners testing positive for drugs in our prisons. In regard to the figures published, some of them relate to the use of drugs immediately prior to committal. The length of time prisoners were in custody before being tested was not recorded, so a precise breakdown of such cases cannot be given.

It should also be noted that the power to take random mandatory drug tests of prisoners only came into existence in October 2007 when the new prison rules came into operation. Prior to that date, drug testing had been primarily targeted at prisoners with a known history of drug misuse. The figures should not be seen as an indicator of drug misuse across the wider prisoner population.

Nevertheless, the level of positive tests among prisoners is a cause for serious concern. The policy and strategy of the Irish Prison Service to keep drugs out of prisons aims to eliminate the availability of illicit drugs within prisons with tighter control and monitoring of prisoner visits and committals in all closed prisons; greater use of screened visits; increased random searching of cells and their occupants; use of modern cameras and probe systems which assist in searching previously difficult areas such as hollow chair or bed legs, under floor boards and other cavities; use of phone detectors and phased installation of telephone blocking technology.

I would also like to advise the Deputy that a number of new security initiatives will shortly be introduced in all closed prisons. These include the establishment of a drug detection dog service within the Irish Prison Service involving 30 handling teams; and the establishment of an operational support group dedicated to developing expertise in searching and gathering intelligence on illicit material being hidden inside our prisons. They will be available in addition to the normal prison staff and can target specific security problem areas.

The physical design and urban setting of some of the State's older prisons, such as Mountjoy, does not assist in combating the inflow of drugs. The proposed new prison at Thornton Hall in County Dublin addresses this deficiency by the creation of a cordon sanitaire around it.

Drug treatment services to prisoners are also being significantly enhanced through the development of new services and programmes.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

These services are being delivered by the Irish Prison Service in partnership with community based services and contracted private services and supported by additional staffing for prison based drug treatment teams — for example, an addiction counselling service which is being provided by Merchants Quay is, in conjunction with other developments, delivering nearly 1,000 hours per week of prisoner access to addiction counselling.

There are also currently drug free units in Wheatfield Prison, St. Patrick's Institution, Castlerea Prison and Mountjoy Prison. There is a detox programme in operation in Mountjoy. Allied to this the training unit, Arbour Hill, Loughan House and Shelton Abbey are regarded as drug-free institutions. I am committed to ensuring that the Irish Prison Service continues to take all measures necessary to deal with this issue.

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