Tony Killeen
Question:171 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Justice if she will approve funding for the installation of a Garda-monitored closed circuit television system in Ennis, County Clare. [8451/97]
Written Answers. - Garda Equipment.
The only CCTV schemes currently sanctioned for funding by my Department are the Temple Bar scheme, which has been operational since October 1995, O'Connell Street, Dublin, Tralee and Finglas. Work on the O'Connell Street system is at an advanced stage and is expected to be completed shortly. Preliminary work has commenced on the Tralee and Finglas systems.
An advisory committee has been established by the Garda Commissioner, comprising of higher officers in the Garda Síochána and an official from my Department, to examine all applications and proposals for CCTV systems as an aid to policing. I am informed that to date applications have been received in respect of over 20 locations, including Ennis, for the installation of CCTV schemes and that these will be considered by the advisory committee with a view to determining priority. I should point out that the extension of Garda CCTV system to other areas will have implications for Garda personnel and resources and must, of course, be viewed in the context of overall policing operations. These CCTV system must be carefully planned and integrated into Garda operational procedures.
However, before any such schemes can receive public funding they will be subject to specific technical and procedural standards set by the Garda and will be subject to open tendering in accordance with the normal public procurement procedures. While I have provided additional funding this year for the expansion of CCTV systems, the commitment to fund the O'Connell Street, Finglas and Tralee schemes limits the opportunity to make further funding available for systems for other areas this year.
The Deputy may wish to note that the maximum level of funding which I propose to provide for the installation of any Garda CCTV scheme would be in the region of 50 per cent of the total cost of the project, the balance of which would have to be met by commercial-local interests in the proposed location.