Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Closed Circuit Television Systems.

Paul McGrath

Question:

1383 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to an application to his Department for grant aid to install a CCTV system in Mullingar, County Westmeath; when this application was made; when funds will be made available for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16468/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell):

An application for a Garda CCTV system in Mullingar was received by the advisory committee, established by the Garda Commissioner to evaluate CCTV applications, in late September 2000.

Following careful consideration of all the available information in relation to the application for Mullingar, the advisory committee formed the opinion in December 2001 that the application did not meet the current criteria for the installation of a Garda CCTV system and consequently declined to recommend the installation of a Garda CCTV system in Mullingar at that point in time. This recommendation was accepted by my predecessor – the response to Parliamentary Question No. 499 of 7 March 2002, is of relevance in this regard.

Correspondence has since been received asking that the decision be reviewed. This correspondence has been forwarded to the advisory committee whose views in this regard are currently awaited. I will consider the matter further upon receipt of these views.

The Deputy may wish to note that, subject to the availability of funds, the 17 locations set to receive new Garda CCTV systems over the next two years have already been decided upon and publicly announced. The locations are, in alphabetical order, Athlone, Ballyfermot, Bray, Carlow, Castlebar, Clondalkin, Clonmel, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Ennis, Finglas, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, Sligo, Tallaght and Waterford.

Some applications for CCTV systems that have been received by the advisory committee relate to relatively small schemes which, while of importance to the local community, cannot be regarded as a national Garda priority. To this end, a grant scheme has been launched to facilitate community – based groups who wish to press ahead with their own local CCTV system. Grant assistance of up to €100,000 will, subject to the availability of funds, be obtainable from my Department towards the cost of such schemes. It will be up to the community groups, in conjunction with the relevant local authority to install, maintain and monitor the community-based CCTV schemes. To qualify for grant aid, certain minimum standards will have to be met and the gardaí will have to be allowed access to grant aided systems as and when they require it. A prospectus has been prepared by my Department which provides information on how to apply for grant-aid funding, outlines the application process and identifies the main issues that applicants will need to consider. Copies of this prospectus are available upon request from the Garda – Administration – division of my Department.

Paul McGrath

Question:

1384 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the expenditure by his Department on CCTV systems in each of the past five years; the location of each of those systems; the new systems which have been approved since January 2002; the estimated costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16469/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell):

A total of €2.09 million, including VAT, has been spent since 1997 on the supply, installation and commissioning of CCTV systems in the following areas: Dublin North Central; Dublin South Central; Tralee and Cork city. A breakdown of this expenditure by year is as follows:

Year	Amount
1997	€1.20 million
1998	€0.12 million
1999	–
2000	€0.74 million
2001	€0.03 million

A total of €0.64 million was spent on the Dublin North Central system –€0.35 million on the Dublin South Central system, €0.69 million on the Tralee system and €0.41 million, to date, on the Cork system. A further payment of €0.41 million will be paid soon in respect of the Cork system.

A major expansion of Garda CCTV systems is currently under way with 17 locations set to receive new Garda CCTV systems over the next two years, subject, of course, to the availability of funds. The locations decided upon are in alphabetical order: Athlone, Ballyfermot, Bray, Carlow, Castlebar, Clondalkin, Clonmel, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Ennis, Finglas, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, Sligo, Tallaght and Waterford.

The locations – Athlone, Bray, Clondalkin, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway, Limerick, Tallaght and Waterford were announced by my predecessor in November 2000. The remaining locations – Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clonmel, Ennis, Kilkenny and Sligo – were announced, again by my predecessor, in March 2002.

Work has commenced on the installation of Garda CCTV systems in Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick. The combined cost of these locations will be in the region of €3.0 million, including VAT. Approximately 60% of this figure will fall payable in 2002.