Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the quantity, type and value of drug seizures in each prison here in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5758/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Recorded seizures of drugs in prisons is as set out in the table below.

The Irish Prison Service does not have the facility to test substances found or seized and therefore cannot state definitively the type or value of drugs seized. Gardaí are contacted once suspected drug seizures are made and issues of investigation and prosecution fall within their remit.

The Irish Prison Service continues to work to implement it's Drug Policy & Strategy, entitled "Keeping Drugs Out of Prison", which was launched in May 2006. Working to fulfil the commitments contained in the Policy and Strategy involves the implementation of stringent measures to prevent drugs from getting into prisons while, at the same time, continuing to invest in services within prisons to reduce the demand for illicit drugs in the prisoner population as well as meeting prisoners' treatment and rehabilitative needs.