Frances Fitzgerald
Question:191 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Justice whether the installation of a security camera system in the Temple Bar area of Dublin 2 has been successful. [20390/96]
Written Answers. - Temple Bar (Dublin) Security Cameras.
The closed circuit television monitoring system currently in operation in the Temple Bar area of Dublin was launched on 26 October 1995. It was the first scheme of its kind in this country and was introduced with the co-operation of local interests and operated on a pilot basis.
An evaluation of all aspects of the Temple Bar system and its effectiveness during its initial period of operation was carried out earlier this year. This review concluded that in the appropriate locations and under correct conditions urban CCTV systems can deliver benefits. The Garda authorities report that the CCTV system has had a beneficial effect on crime prevention and detection in the Temple Bar area resulting in a significant reduction in the area's crime rate since its introduction. It has contributed to the detection of a number of offences, including public order offences, road traffic offences and some crimes relating to robbery and drugs.
However, it would be dangerous to assume that the introduction of CCTV is an answer in itself.
CCTV systems in public areas operate as an aid to policing and must be carefully planned and fully integrated into Garda operational procedures, given that there are obvious implications for the Garda in how they deploy their resources and personnel to cover the ongoing operation of such systems once introduced.
The success of the system in the Temple Bar area is very encouraging and I am pleased to say that tenders are due shortly for a CCTV scheme for the O'Connell Street area of Dublin. Having obtained Government approval in July of this year to provide additional funding, as part of the anti-crime package, for the expansion of Garda CCTV systems as an aid to policing, I have recently provided funding for Garda CCTV schemes in Finglas and Tralee, and I intend to approve further schemes in other areas.