CCTV Systems play an important part in support of policing and the maintenance of public safety. They also act as a useful deterrent to street crime and public disorder. The Garda town centre CCTV systems are planned and implemented on the basis of operational needs identified by An Garda Síochána.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the following locations have CCTV systems that are fully operational: Dublin City centre (north and south); Tralee; Cork City; Bray; Dun Laoghaire; Dundalk; Limerick; Galway and Tullamore. The contractors for the system to be installed in Finglas have been requested to commence installation and that will be subject to the usual requirements of the planning process, permission for wayleaves and the completion of any necessary civil works.
I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that work is ongoing on the installation of CCTV systems in Clondalkin and Ballyfermot and these systems will be operational in the near future.
Contracts for the supply and installation of Garda CCTV systems will be issued shortly for the following nine locations: Drogheda, Tallaght, Mullingar, Waterford, Portlaoise, Kilkenny, Sligo, Castlebar and Ennis. It is expected that installation of these systems will commence early in 2008.
A tender process has also taken place for a further five locations: Athlone, Carlow, Clonmel, Dungarvan and Kinsale. Responses to the tender are currently being evaluated by the Garda authorities. It is expected that works on these systems will commence during the first quarter of 2008.