Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 2

Written Answers. - Prison Services.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

75 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the broadcast radio stations available in each prison; if Raidió na Gaeltachta is available in prisons; if not, the reason in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11163/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

All prisoners are entitled to apply to the Governor to have their own radios. A large percentage of prisoners have their own personal radios, on which they may tune into any available channel, including Raidió na Gaeltachta.

In addition, in two prisons, namely Castlerea Prison and Wheatfield Place of Detention, broadcast radio is piped from a central location to each cell. The systems are limited to four stations and these stations were initially selected by popular choice of the prisoners in each of these insti tutions, RTE 1, 2 FM, Radio Galway Bay and Today FM are available in Castlerea Prison and RTE 1, 2 FM, 98 FM and BBC 5 are available in Wheatfield Place of Detention.