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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - Closed Circuit Television Systems.

Phil Hogan

Question:

630 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of finance committed and spent for the provision of closed circuit television cameras in urban areas for 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9325/02]

The Deputy may be aware that I announced late in 2000 that the number of Garda CCTV systems was to be extended. As part of the first tranche of this expansion, CCTV systems are to be installed in the following areas: Athlone, Bray, Clondalkin, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway, Limerick, Tallaght and Waterford. It is anticipated that these ten CCTV systems will be installed by the end of 2002. At least a further six areas will commence in 2003 and they will be announced in due course.

Tenders were sought and received in 2001 in respect of the town centre CCTV systems for Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick. The evaluation process has taken longer than was anticipated and as a result it was not possible to enter into any contractual commitments. In the circumstances, the total expenditure from the Garda Vote in 2001 on CCTV systems amounted to £33,592 or €42,653. The original allocation was £4.185 million or €5.314 million. It is not envisaged that a similar situation will arise this year.

The evaluation process in respect of the CCTV systems for Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick is in its final stages and I hope to announce the awarding of the contracts shortly, after which work will commence immediately to put the systems in place. The planning in respect of the town centre CCTV systems for Athlone, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Waterford is well advanced and it is expected that tenders will be invited via the EU journal and the national newspapers within the next few months.

I also plan to introduce a grant scheme to cater for those communities which would like to press ahead on their own with a local CCTV system. While it will be up to the local communities to install and monitor the CCTV schemes, grant assistance will be provided. The details of this new scheme are being finalised and full particulars including relevant conditions and grant levels etc. will be announced within the next four to six weeks.

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