Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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693. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if anti-drone technology is being considered for prisons; if this would be more cost effective than netting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38981/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am very aware that the flow of contraband is one of the most pressing issues affecting security and safety in our prisons.

Preventing the access of contraband, including drugs, into prisons is a high priority for the Irish Prison Service, and it has committed to continuing to invest in new technologies and measures to support efforts to keep contraband out of prisons. The IPS continues to examine all technologies that might assist in making our prisons more secure, including anti-drone technologies. If suitable technologies are identified then the IPS will proceed with the installation of same.

The Irish Prison Service has commenced works on enhancing yard security in prisons, and the installation of enhanced netting has proven successful at reducing the transmission of contraband. Over the course of 2024 and to date in 2025, enhanced netting has been installed at two prisons. To date, there have been no successful contraband deliveries in the prison where one new netting solution has been employed.

New steel netting is due to be rolled out to other locations in the short term.

An Garda Síochána also supports the Irish Prison Service with ongoing operations in each relevant Garda Division, including Operation Throwover, which is intended to disrupt, interdict and prosecute attempts to introduce contraband into prisons.

In May of this year, the Irish Prison Service and An Garda Síochána signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise a framework for interagency cooperation. The Memorandum of Understanding was developed to enable the two organisations to work in partnership to prioritise cooperation in tackling organised crime, drug dealing and contraband smuggling.