Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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547. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the rules and regulations applicable to the use of personal or other mobile phones by persons serving detention in a prison (details supplied). [5861/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that possession of a mobile phone in prison without the permission of the Prison Governor is a criminal offence under Section 36 of the Prisons Act 2007.

Any prisoner found to be in possession of a mobile phone in prison is subject to disciplinary action under the prisoner disciplinary system and the matter referred to An Garda Síochána for investigation and possible prosecution.

The Deputy may be aware that in the Open Centers, Shelton Abbey and Loughan House, a number of prisoners have been provided with a prison issue mobile phone to allow them to contact family and friends. The handsets are basic models and there are strict conditions attached to their use.

The Irish Prison Service employs a dedicated team of staff in all closed prisons, the Operational Support Group, whose primary function is to prevent the trafficking of contraband, including mobile phones, into our prisons. The Operational Support Group continue to find and seize mobile phones, accessories and components through the use of security screening and searching.

The Operational Support Group use metal detectors, canine detection, security screening and intelligence led searches to deter such activity and detect phones. They continue to research varying equipment and technology that will assist them in their efforts.

In the coming weeks they are to commence upgrading metal detectors to models which can detect both metal and specific mobile phone components. Random and intelligence led searches continue to be effective methods in detecting and retrieving mobile phones within our prisons.