Vol. 524 No. 2
388 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide details of his programme for the introduction of closed circuit television; the amount of money allocated; the proposed locations, including moneys allocated per location; the timescale for introduction of all programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22177/00]
Three Garda CCTV systems have been installed, to date, in the State – in Temple Bar, Dublin; in Dublin north central, which includes O'Connell Street and its adjoining areas, and in Tralee, County Kerry.
The advisory committee established by the Garda Commissioner to evaluate CCTV applications has received in excess of 40 applications for the installation of Garda CCTV systems. Six locations have been prioritised for the installation of such systems. These are, in alphabetical order: Bray, Cork, Dublin (south central), Dundalk, Finglas, and Limerick. The extension of the Garda CCTV system in Dublin (south central) which will include Grafton Street and its adjoining areas and the installation of a CCTV system in Cork City are the CCTV projects currently being undertaken. The order in which the remaining priority locations will be undertaken has not yet been decided – although it is intended to commence the installation of Garda CCTV systems in each of the prioritised locations as soon as possible.
Recently the Garda CCTV system in Dublin (north central) was increased from 38 to 42 cameras. The CCTV system in Dublin (south central), when complete, will result in the cameras in the original Temple Bar area being increased from nine to 24 cameras to cover Grafton Street and its adjoining areas.
Some delays have been encountered in progressing various CCTV projects due, in part, to the fact that the demand from various communities for CCTV systems has been very significant. A shortage of technicians in the telecommunications section of the Garda Síochána has also impacted on the progress in implementing CCTV systems. Notwithstanding this, it also became evident that the existing approach to CCTV could not cope with the demand and a review of all aspects of CCTV was required. I therefore decided to initiate a review of CCTV and asked the Garda Commissioner to look at this whole area. The review is now complete and I expect to make a statement on CCTV in the near future.
All applications for Garda CCTV systems must be prepared in co-operation with the local Garda district and divisional officers and receive their full support. Funding for Garda CCTV systems is normally provided jointly by local community interests and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It has been the experience of the Garda authorities that the cost of an efficient and effective CCTV system is, on average, £20,000 to £25,000 per camera. Provision is made in the Garda Vote for installing Garda CCTV systems. The allocation for this year is £700,000.
