Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of money that was spent on the installation of equipment to cut out the smuggling of mobile phones into prisons here; the number of Irish prisons in which this equipment was operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47510/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I presume the Deputy is referring to the new security measures introduced to prevent the smuggling of contraband (including mobile phones) into prisons.

A programme of works, intended to improve security in all prisons is nearing completion. These measures are aimed at eliminating the supply of contraband, including mobile phones, drugs, weapons and other miscellaneous items to prisoners by means of improved searching and detection procedures. To date, the programme has been implemented in ten prisons.

The works involved include a variety of measures including physical adjustments to the entrance and reception areas of prisons as well as the installation of specialist detection equipment.

The total cost of the project in all prisons, to date, will amount to approximately €6.2 million including VAT.

As a separate project, specialist equipment to block mobile phone signals has been installed in the Midlands prisons on a trial basis.