I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 to 229, inclusive, together.
I am advised by my officials that the Irish Prison Service policy ‘Keeping Drugs out of Prison’ was introduced in 2006 to address many aspects of drug use in prison, including measures to reduce the use of illegal drugs in the prison setting.
In 2008, the Operational Support Group (OSG) was established which received resources and investment in order to implement the key objectives of Keeping Drugs out of Prison. A key role of the OSG is to support governors in implementing Government policy, including the prevention of the smuggling of contraband (including drugs) into prisons, the detection and prevention of illegal activity within the prison Estate and intelligence-gathering.
Many of the roles envisaged for Drugs Security Officers as outlined in the Keeping Drugs out of Prisons Policy, were, therefore undertaken by the creation of the OSG and OSG Assistant Chief Officer grades (of whom there are 2 in each closed prison) effectively perform the role envisaged for drugs security officers.
In relation to the maintenance of accurate statistics on drug seizures, I am advised that the OSG maintain records in relation to drug seizures and that these statistics are regularly reported to IPS HQ. However there are limitations on the details recorded, in view of the fact that the IPS does not have the laboratory facilities required to establish the exact chemical composition of all drugs.