Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Jun 2003

Vol. 569 No. 4

Written Answers. - Closed Circuit Television Systems.

Jerry Cowley

Question:

261 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the setting up of a pilot rural closed circuit television system in Achill, in order to discourage crime and aid in the detection of crime; if he is in favour of such a system; if he will consider assisting the funding of such a pilot scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18053/03]

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

I am advised by the Garda that no application has been received by the CCTV advisory committee established by the Garda Commissioner to evaluate CCTV applications from local Garda management in respect of a CCTV system for Achill Island. 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.

The following criteria are used by the committee when assessing an application; crime and disorder statistics in an area; population and level of activity of area; cost and local contributions as evidence of commitment of partnership arrangements; recommendations of local Garda management and any special circumstances and needs.

Separately, my Department has received significant – in excess of 150 – expressions of interest in the related community-based CCTV scheme which was launched to facilitate community based groups who wish to install their own local CCTV systems. Grant assistance of up to €100,000 will, subject to the availability of funds, will 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 are available, on request, from the Garda administration division of my Department.

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 are almost complete. When 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.