Liam Aylward
Question:368 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will provide closed circuit television cameras in Kilkenny city to assist gardaí in their efforts to combat crime. [18856/01]
Written Answers. - Closed Circuit Television Systems.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that an application for a Garda CCTV system in Kilkenny has been received by the advisory committee that was established by the Commissioner to evaluate applications for Garda CCTV systems. The application from Kilkenny is under consideration – as indeed are applications from other cities and towns throughout the country.
Applications for Garda CCTV systems are assessed by the advisory committee on the basis of Garda operational needs and include the following criteria: crime-public order statistics in the area; population and level of activity there; the recommendation of local Garda management and any special circumstances-needs that exist and the likely impact of a Garda CCTV system to that area. Co-funding is a feature of Garda CCTV systems and this is usually addressed when it has been decided to install a Garda CCTV system in an area.
As part of the Garda CCTV expansion programme, a total of £12 million has been allocated towards the installation of CCTV systems nationwide over the next three years, with £4 million being allocated in 2001. As part of the first tranche, Garda CCTV systems are to be installed in the following ten locations: Athlone, Bray, Clondalkin, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Tallaght. At least a further six areas will commence in 2003 and they will be announced in due course. It is anticipated that the ten CCTV systems referred to above will be installed in the period 2001-02.