Paul Kehoe
Question:211 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when funding will be made available for closed circuit television cameras in Wexford town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9150/03]
Written Answers - Closed Circuit Television Systems.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that no application has been received, from local Garda management, by the CCTV advisory committee, that was established by the Garda Commissioner to evaluate CCTV applications, in respect of Wexford town. If such an application is received it will be processed in the normal manner and the advisory committee will make recommendations on the completion of its deliberations.
My Department has received expressions of interest from Wexford Chamber of Commerce and Wexford Corporation in the community-based CCTV scheme which was launched to facilitate community based groups who wish to install 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.
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 were made available, on request, to both Wexford Chamber of Commerce and Wexford Corporation. A code of practice, drawn up in co-operation with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, and detailed technical specifications, drawn up by the Garda Síochána, are almost complete. When both the code of practice and the technical specifications have been finalised my Department will issue copies of same to all communities who expressed an interest in the community-based CCTV scheme and any applications subsequently received will be evaluated and processed.
Question No. 212 answered with Question No. 209.