Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Question No. 121 of 26 February 2009, if he will provide the corresponding figure in respect of balls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14012/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The financial records of the Irish Prison Service show the following breakdown of expenditure on balls in 2008:

All 2008 expenditure figures are provisional at this stage, pending finalisation of the Appropriation Account.

The figures above include expenditure on balls for use in a variety of sports including tennis, football, handball, squash, table tennis and basketball. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of expenditure between the Dublin prisons because many of these items are purchased centrally through the Regional Distribution Centre within the Irish Prison Service.

As the Deputy will appreciate there are significant benefits to be gained from getting involved in physical education be it in a community setting or in the prison environment. In the prison setting physical education affords prisoners the opportunity to take control of one aspect of their daily life, their physical well-being, with the potential knock-on effect of increasing their motivation and confidence to tackle other identified issues such as substance abuse, taking up educational or workshop opportunities. It is also recognised that physical education, sport and recreation also play a significant role in the management of prison life by providing positive outlets for energy.