129. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the number of confirmed drone related contraband drops detected in each prison in 2023 and to date in 2025; and the measures being taken to counter drone incursions. [21481/25]

130. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider installing comprehensive drone defence systems and netting in exercise yards, as recommended by staff representatives; and the estimated cost. [21482/25]

Jim O'Callaghan, Minister for Justice: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 130 together.

I am 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 the Service has committed to continuing to invest in new technologies and measures to support efforts to keep contraband out of prisons.

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.

This week, 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.

€5m has been allocated in the 2025 Capital budget for prison security. In 2024, enhanced measures were introduced in Portlaoise Prison as part of measures to counteract contraband and drone activity.

The Irish Prison Service has also commenced works on enhancing yard security in additional prisons with the installation of new netting capable of withstanding fire-bombing. This new netting has already been installed in one prison and is due to be rolled out to other locations in the short term.

In Table 1, the Irish Prison Service has provided the drone detection statistics for the years 2024 and 2025 to date as recorded by the Operational Support Group. The Deputy should note there are no figures available for 2023.

Table 1