Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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253. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prosecutions for possession of a mobile device by prisoners in the Midlands Prison in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29261/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the decision about whether or not to prosecute a person, and for what crime, is entirely a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and I have no role in such matters.

However, I am advised by the Irish Prison Service (IPS) that preventing the ingress of contraband, including mobile phones, into prisons remains a high priority for the IPS. In 2008, the IPS established a dedicated team of officers who have sole responsibility for preventing the flow of contraband into prisons. The Operational Support Group (OSG) operate the security screening areas that are now located at the point of entry of all closed prisons. They also operate the canine unit and the Operational Support Unit who conduct regular searches and gather intelligence in relation to the smuggling of contraband.

I am further advised that efforts are made on a continuous basis by prison staff to prevent the flow of drugs into our prisons. In addition to the establishment of the OSG, the installation of nets over exercise yards, enhanced CCTV monitoring, the stricter control of visits and the use of targeted and random cell searches on a daily basis has reduced the availability of contraband. The introduction of passive and active drug detection dogs and the installation of airport style security including scanners and x-ray machines has also helped efforts to tackle the problem. Random searches of cells and their occupants have uncovered significant quantities of contraband in recent years.

Nevertheless, the IPS recognises that constant improvements are required in this area and have introduced a free confidential telephone line (1800 855 717) which is now operational. Prisoners, visitors, staff or members of the public with information on the trafficking of prohibited items into our prisons can pass on that information in the strictest confidence.

The following table highlights the different type of contraband confiscated by the IPS. I hope the Deputy finds this information useful.

Contraband Seizures Statistics for 2011-2017