Finglas is one of six locations that have been prioritised for the installation of Garda CCTV systems as an aid to policing by the CCTV advisory committee. As I have stated previously, a shortage of technicians in the telecommunications section of the Garda Síochána – who are responsible for the planning and implementation of town centre Garda CCTV systems – has impacted on the progress in implementing CCTV systems in each of the six prioritised locations, including Finglas. I am having this problem addressed as a matter of urgency through the recruitment of 27 additional technicians. The recruitment process is now almost complete and 18 new technicians have been appointed. However, given training needs and so forth, it will be some months before the new technicians will be available to commence work on new projects in the telecommunications area, including CCTV.
In all cases private contractors are used for the installation of Garda CCTV systems. However, the input of Garda telecommunications section is required at the initial stages of a project, to evaluate proposals and manage contracts. Accordingly, telecommunications section must develop technical specifications and issue those specifications to all interested contractors. A review of Garda CCTV systems is also under way at this time and consideration is being given to the feasibility of employing private contractors at other stages in the planning and installation of Garda CCTV systems.
The extension of the Garda CCTV system in Dublin to include Grafton Street and its surrounding streets and the provision of a CCTV system in Cork city are the CCTV projects currently being undertaken. It is not, therefore, possible at this time to give an indication of exactly when a Garda CCTV system will be installed in Finglas as this is dependent on a number of factors including the availability of technical personnel, financial resources, the tendering requirements and, of course, the need for such systems to be integrated into Garda operational procedures. I can, however, confirm that it is intended to commence the planning and implementation of Garda CCTV systems in each of the prioritised locations, including Finglas, as soon as possible.
The allocation of Garda personnel and resources to individual areas is a matter for the Garda authorities who have advised me that the current personnel strength of Finglas Garda station, as of 31 October 1999, is 86 – all ranks – and that in recent times a policing initiative has been implemented in the Finglas area to try and address public order issues. A public order vehicle consisting of one sergeant and three gardai patrol the Finglas area, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 7 p.m. – 6 a.m. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday an additional public order vehicle which consists of two gardaí is deployed in the Finglas area from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. This is in addition to normal routine patrols i.e., uniform task force, detective and drug unit patrols.
The Garda authorities have also informed me that they are satisfied that the initiative is sufficient to cater for the current policing needs of Finglas. However, the situation will be monitored and reviewed with a view to ensuring that a satisfactory policing service is maintained.
