Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 March 2017
84. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the services within prisons that are provided by, or have been tendered for service by, private companies, by prison; if other areas of service provision are being considered for this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15845/17]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Prison Service that the statistics being sought are not readily available. The information is currently being collated and I will respond to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 84 for answer on 30 March, 2017, in which you requested "the services within prisons that are provided by, or have been tendered for service by private companies, by prison; if other areas of service provision are being considered for this; and if she will make a statement on the matter".
As you will recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available, and I undertook to contact you again when this information was to hand.
The Irish Prison Service advise me that, in relation to building management, the LMC Facilities Management Company provide service and repair as well as out of hours mechanical and electrical call-outs in all prison locations, which are broken down as follows: Security, safety and IT equipment including automated gate installations (vehicular and pedestrian excluding the security locking installation), turnstiles, security x-ray equipment, emergency lighting, special cell repairs and cleaning, fire alarm installations, fire pumps and hydrants, smoke ventilation, security netting, roller shutters, razor wire, dental and medical equipment, UPS and cell call (generators and back up systems in the case of a power failure).
Kitchen and Catering and Laundry equipment including catering refrigeration equipment, kitchen canopies and ventilation ductwork cleaning, kitchen ventilation systems.
Gas, Water and Electrical Services including water coolers, water softeners, process water treatment, water leak detection, water services and process pumps, drain cleaning, mobile electrical work platform, gas detection maintenance system, grease traps, HT/LT electrical distribution boards, heating boilers steam and non-steam, industrial gases and combined heat and power plant.
Work training equipment including print shop, wood work and metalwork equipment, and farm machinery.
Miscellaneous items such as gym equipment, TV distribution, air compressors, lifts and chain hoists, air handling units, A/C units, hoists, and statutory engineering inspections.
In relation to ICT two companies, Harvey Nash and IT Contracting, provide the Prison Service with three onsite engineers who look after all of the prisons in terms of resolving any on site ICT issues as they arise. In addition, the Irish Prison Service have contracts for maintenance and service of security systems, CCTV systems, waste management, pest control, sanitary services, and healthcare risk waste.
The Irish Prison Service Care and Rehabilitation Directorate is responsible for prisoner care and rehabilitation. This involves input by a diverse range of general and specialist services some of which are provided by private companies, including the following:General Pharmacy Services - all locationsDrug Testing Service - all locationsAddiction Counselling - all locationsLocum GP services - all locationsAgency Nursing Services - all locationsDental Services - all locationsInterpretation Services - all locationsDairy Product Supplies - all locationsFruit and vegetable supplies, frozen food, bread product and cooking supplies - all locationsCatering audits - all locationsFood sample analysis - all locationsFraming supplies - all locationsKitchenware and janitorial supplies - all locationsPrisoner toiletries and clothing - all locationsHorticulture supplies and workshop consumables - all locationsPPE work wear - all locationsLaundry, Catering, Sports and Gym equipment - all locationsWork shop tools and equipment - all locationsEducational and art and craft supplies, school books, library books, print shop supplies - all locationsLaptops - all locationsAccrediting bodies - all locations.Hairdressing training - Dochas CentreSewing supplies - Dochas CentrePersonal development workshops - Dochas CentreDrug Treatment Pharmacist - Mountjoy CampusFabric Supplies - Mountjoy CampusOptical Services - Mountjoy Campus, West Dublin Campus, Midlands Campus and Cork PrisonLocum Chaplaincy Services - Midlands, Mountjoy Campus, Dublin West Campus, Arbour Hill, Limerick, Shelton AbbeyFarm Supplies - Shelton Abbey and Loughan HouseSteel Supplies - Dublin West and Midlands The Irish Prison Service also have drawn down contracts for plumbing and electrical supplies, hardware supplies, and white goods.
Private companies also supply the following:Advertising and Press Office related costsCable Television Rental/TV LicencesCar Hire (taxi) to court/hospitalIPS College CateringIPS College CleaningCourier ServicesDigital Radio Subscription – TetraDrug Detection ServicesFire Safety – service contractFire Safety – maintenance and repairsFranking chargesGrounds maintenanceHealth & Safety – Non AssetHealth & Safety ConsultantsIT Software maintenance costsIT Software Non AssetsLocks, keys, Safes and Cabinets maintenance and repairsPainting maintenance and repairsPhotocopier maintenanceRental for storage accommodationTelephones and telecoms maintenanceTrades maintenance and repairsTraining External CoursesTV and video – supplies and repairsUrine TestingVisitor Centre CostsWater coolersX-ray, explosive and operator-controlled detection systems – service contract. I hope this information is of assistance.
