Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2004
177 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has plans to increase Garda presence or to install closed circuit television cameras to deal with the vandalism in Kilrush, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25904/04]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel and resources, that the personnel strength of Kilrush Garda station as at 20 October 2004 was 26, all ranks. Garda management will continue to appraise the policing and administrative strategy employed in Kilrush with a view to ensuring that an effective Garda service is maintained. The situation will be kept under review by Garda management and when additional personnel next become available the needs of Kilrush will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country.
With regard to Garda resources generally, the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, in line with the agreed programme for Government commitment in this regard. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force. The commissioner will now draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these resources.
Clearly, however, the additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as is envisaged in the programme for Government. The programme identifies, in particular, areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences but it will be possible to address other priorities as well, such as the need to significantly increase the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties. One thing I have already promised is that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into front line, operational, high visibility policing. They will have a real impact.
Applications for Garda CCTV schemes must be prepared in co-operation with the local Garda district and divisional officers and receive their full support. Applications for Garda CCTV systems are then assessed by the CCTV advisory committee, established by the commissioner to advise on all matters relating to CCTV, on the basis of Garda operational needs and taking into account the following criteria: crime-public order statistics in the area; population and level of activity there; the recommendation of local Garda management; any special circumstances or needs that exist; and the likely impact of a Garda CCTV system on the area. I am advised that although Kilrush Urban District Council previously expressed an interest in having a Garda CCTV system no formal application in respect of same has been received.
It is not, understandably, possible for the Garda Síochána to install CCTV systems in all areas that have sought them. Some applications for Garda CCTV systems 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 aid 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 systems.
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. The code of practice for the operation of the community based CCTV scheme has been drawn up by my Department in co-operation with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. Detailed technical specifications have been drawn up by the Garda Síochána and are currently under consideration by officials in my Department.
I expect that both the code of practice and the technical specifications will be finalised by my Department in the coming weeks. At that stage copies of same will issue to all communities and organisations who have expressed an interest in the community based CCTV scheme. Any applications subsequently received will be evaluated and processed in accordance with the conditions set out in the prospectus. I am advised that while a number of expressions of interest in this scheme have been received from entities in County Clare, none has been received with regard to the installation of a community based CCTV system in Kilrush.
