Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 333: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number, location and date of introduction of BOSS chairs in the prison system here; the approximate cost of such a chair; his plans for the roll out of these chairs across all prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28670/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The first Body Orifice Security Scanner (BOSS) chair was introduced by the Irish Prison Service in early 2008 on a pilot basis as part of a wide range of security initiatives introduced to combat the smuggling of contraband into our prisons. Since then seven additional chairs have been installed bringing the total to eight and it is proposed to introduce them in all closed prisons during the course of this year, subject to the availability of resources.

The approximate cost of a BOSS chair is €12,000. For security reasons, I am not in a position to indicate the precise locations of this equipment.