John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of sniffer dogs which are used to detect drugs in prisons here; if the use of sniffer dogs constitutes best practice in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14142/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that a drug detection dog service is operating on a pilot basis in the Irish Prison Service since May 2006. The service is currently provided on contract by a UK company and started in the Midlands Prison. It has since been extended and currently four dog/handler teams operate in the Midlands Complex, the Mountjoy Complex, Wheatfield/Cloverhill Prisons, and Cork/Limerick Prisons. The contract has been extended pending the establishment of a dedicated drug detection dog service (Canine Unit) within the Irish Prison Service.

The management of the Canine Unit is now in place and the selection process for the required staffing has recently commenced. Following training, the first of 30 dog handling teams will be active in approximately 3 months. Searching is concentrated on visitors but proactive searching of areas within the prison also take place. The evidence is that the teams have a significant interception and deterrent effect. The use of drug detection dogs is a common feature of prison systems in other jurisdictions and plays a vital role in preventing the smuggling of drugs into prisons.