John Browne
Question:48 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the names of the towns that have closed circuit television installed; and the plans he has for involving other towns. [10928/01]
Written Answers - Closed Circuit Television Systems.
Garda CCTV systems have been installed in Dublin's city centre, north central and south central, and in Tralee. The combined cost of these CCTV systems exceeded £1.8 million. The installation of a CCTV system in Cork city, consisting of 29 cameras, is currently being undertaken and its final cost is likely to be in excess of £800,000. I announced last November that a total of £12 million was to be allocated to the installation of CCTV systems nation-wide over the next three years as part of the Garda CCTV expansion programme with £4 million being allocated in 2001. As part of the first tranche of the expansion programme Garda CCTV systems are to be installed in Athlone, Bray, Clondalkin, Dundalk, Dun Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Tallaght. At least six further areas will commence in 2003, to be announced in due course. It is anticipated that these ten CCTV systems will be installed in the period 2001 to 2002. While these Garda systems will be funded by my Department, co-funding will also be a feature, to be addressed when detailed costings are available and before work on the installation of the CCTV systems commences.
I am, however, also conscious that some applications for CCTV systems that have been received by the advisory committee, established by the Garda Commissioner to evaluate applications for Garda CCTV Systems, relate to relatively small schemes which, while of importance to the local community, cannot be regarded as a national Garda priority. I have given careful consideration to how assistance can be provided to areas which are not rated as a high level Garda priority. To this end, I plan to soon introduce a grant scheme to cater for those communities who would like to press ahead, on their own, with a local CCTV system. It will be up to local interests to install and monitor the CCTV schemes though grant assistance will be provided. To qualify for grant aid, certain minimum standards will have to be met and the Garda will have to be allowed access to the system as and when they require. Local authorities will have an important role to play. The details of this new scheme are being finalised and full details, including relevant conditions and grant levels, will be announced soon.
Question No. 49 answered with Question No. 40.