Seamus Healy
Question:140 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will approve the installation of closed circuit television cameras for the towns of Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary and Cashel. [30090/01]
Written Answers. - Closed Circuit Television Systems.
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, Dun 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 by the end of 2002.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that an application for a Garda CCTV system in Clonmel was received by the advisory committee that was established by the Garda Commissioner to evaluate applications for Garda CCTV systems. The application for Clonmel is currently being considered in the context of the Garda CCTV expansion programme as referred to above.
I am also informed by the Garda authorities that the advisory committee has not received any application for Garda CCTV systems in Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary town or Cashel. 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.
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.