Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 390: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made to date in carrying out an independent evaluation of the overall effectiveness of the prison strategy in relation to all aspects of drug services in prisons and research on the levels and routes of supply of drugs in prisons; when such an evaluation will be completed and its findings published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23467/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Irish Prison Service continually monitors the effectiveness of its drug policies and already has a good knowledge of the levels and routes of supply of drugs in prison. Pending the implementation of the new drugs policy, which I intend to publish in the near future, it would be premature to undertake a wide-ranging review of all aspects of drug services in prisons. I have decided that the better course of action would be to undertake such a review when the new policy has been in place for a sufficient period of time, which will allow for meaningful evaluation of current practice and policy. It is intended that the review will be initiated in 2007.