Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason mobile telephone-blocking equipment has not been installed in prisons here; when all prisons will have the equipment installed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32977/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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One of the major challenges in prisons worldwide lies in preventing access to or use of mobile phones by prisoners. Efforts are made on a continuous basis to prevent prisoners obtaining or using mobile phones. Such efforts include the installation of nets over exercise yards, vigilant observation of prisoners by staff, extensive CCTV monitoring, the use of screened visits and prisoner and cell searches. Installation of a pilot scheme of technology to prevent the use of mobile phones in prisons began in Midlands / Portlaoise Prison Complex in April 2007. The inhibitors are being introduced on a phased basis in terms both of the physical structure of the prison i.e. on a building by building basis — and also in terms of communications bands / channels that are being inhibited.

The Midlands module of the pilot scheme is now nearing completion and the Irish Prison Service is at an advanced stage in terms of its acceptance testing procedures. All indications continue to be very positive and, based on the experience so far, installation of inhibitors in the new block in Portlaoise maximum security prison will begin before the end of the year. The Deputy may also wish to note that following the introduction of other enhanced security measures a total of 1464 mobile phones have been seized by the prison authorities during the period January to August this year.