Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there are plans to house convicted criminals, who are members of criminal gangs in isolation units; when such units will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46741/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that there are strategies in place to deal with criminal gangs in prisons. A number of recent initiatives have been introduced with a view to preventing identified gang leaders from conducting their business while in custody and also to prevent them exerting inappropriate influence over other persons.

A High Security Unit was opened in Cloverhill Prison in May 2007 and a number of serious drug and criminal gang members are now segregated from other prisoners, thus limiting the inappropriate influence they might otherwise have been able to exert. In addition, there are a number of high security prisoners detained in Portlaoise Prison, which has a constant army presence.

The new prison facilities at Thornton Hall will include a purpose designed high security facility capable of accommodating up to 40 prisoners in a safe, secure setting with appropriate support facilities. It is also intended that the proposed prison development at Kilworth, County Cork will have a high security unit and this is being provided for in the design brief for the new facility.

Other security initiatives have been introduced which make it more difficult for prisoners to engage in illegal activities while in prison. These initiatives include the introduction of passive drug dogs, the installation of airport style security including scanners, x-ray machines, etc., and the establishment of an Operational Support Group. A core function of this group is to gather and collate intelligence information on criminal gang members in our prisons and to carry out intelligence led searches on them.