2nd October 2003
268. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Prison Service has informed him as to when they are going to centralise prison statistics to allow for collection of data in relation to drug use and in relation to self-inflicted injuries in places of detention here. [21810/03]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): In recent years the Prison Service has placed significant emphasis on implementing new centralised record systems based on the use of information technology. Considerable progress has already been made in this area and I am informed that further work is under way at present. A number of areas including those referred to by the Deputy are under active consideration in this regard.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.