Vol. 557 No. 4
405 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in providing closed circuit television in Finglas, Dublin 11; the specific reasons for the delay; and the timescale for the completion of this scheme. [22402/02]
Finglas is one of 17 locations that will receive Garda CCTV systems over the next two years, subject to the availability of funds. The other locations are Athlone, Ballyfermot, Bray, Carlow, Castlebar, Clondalkin, Clonmel, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Ennis, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, Sligo, Tallaght and Waterford. Contracts have been placed in relation to the systems for Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick. Work is ongoing in each of these locations and it is intended that the installation of cameras will commence when the planning process with the relevant local authorities and the refurbishment of rooms in the Garda stations to accommodate the CCTV monitoring rooms and associated equipment have been completed. Preparation of the detailed technical specification documents by the Garda authorities for the CCTV systems in Athlone, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Waterford is well advanced and these are expected to go to tender in 2003. Planning for the installation of the CCTV systems in the remaining seven locations is scheduled to commence in 2003.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Office of Public Works is finalising structural work at Finglas Garda station to provide for the installation of a CCTV monitoring room and associated equipment in Finglas. I am also advised that the design of the camera poles has been completed and the camera locations have been finalised. The planning process in relation to the camera poles is ongoing. While the timescale for completion of the CCTV scheme is difficult to clearly define, it is envisaged that the system will be up and running during the first half of 2003.
