Fergus O'Dowd
Question:115 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress to date for the installation of closed circuit television for Drogheda, County Louth. [29534/03]
Written Answers. - Closed Circuit Television Systems.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that 17 locations are set to receive new Garda closed circuit television, CCTV, systems over the next two years, subject to the availability of funds. These locations, in alphabetical order, are as follows: Athlone, Ballyfermot, Bray, Carlow, Castlebar, Clondalkin, Clonmel, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Ennis, Finglas, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, Sligo, Tallaght and Waterford. Applications for Garda CCTV systems are assessed by an advisory committee on the basis of Garda operational needs and take into account the following criteria: crime and public order statistics in the area; population and level of activity in the area; the recommendation of local Garda management; any special circumstances or needs that exist; and the likely impact of a Garda CCTV system on the area.
I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that an application for a Garda CCTV system in Drogheda has been received by the CCTV advisory committee established by the Garda Commissioner to evaluate applications for Garda CCTV systems. This application is currently under consideration by the committee, together with a number of applications from other cities and towns throughout the country. However, it should be noted that the 17 schemes which are either at installation, tender or planning stages will have to be completed prior to the initiation of future CCTV projects.