Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of drug seizures made in prisons during 2009; the way in which this compares with each year from 2005; his views on the continuing extensive presence of drugs in our prisons; the steps he is taking to deal with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5595/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The confiscation of drugs (or suspected drugs) was recorded by our prisons under the generic description of "prohibited articles/substances" prior to 2008. Therefore an accurate breakdown as requested by the Deputy for that period is not available without the manual examination of records going back over a considerable time period.

From May 2008 (when new security initiatives were first introduced) to 31 December 2008, there were 351 drug seizures within the Irish prison system. In 2009, prisons recorded seizures of drugs as set out in the table below. The security initiative introduced by the IPS clearly has greatly strengthened the ability of the prison system to intercept illicit substances. The following figures reflect the IPS's success in this regard.

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.

Drug Users present with multiple and complex problems. The evidence would indicate that a multidisciplinary approach is needed to effectively care for this group and that maintenance of a personalised therapeutic relationship yields the best outcomes. Prisoners have access to a range of medical and rehabilitative services such as psychosocial services and work and training options which assist in addressing their substance misuse issues.

The Irish Prison Service has committed significant investment in recent years in responding to addiction issues in the prison system. The most significant new development was the awarding of a contract for addiction counselling services to Merchants Quay Ireland. The Addiction Counselling Service is, in conjunction with other developments, now delivering an average of 1,500 prisoner contacts per month.

The priority of my Department and the Irish Prison Service is, notwithstanding present resource difficulties, to ensure that an appropriate range of treatment services is available to all prisoners requiring same.