Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
216. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the average cost of installing a Garda operated and controlled CCTV system at a motorway junction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31707/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that it is difficult to provide a specific figure as the requirements for each proposed CCTV system depend on a range of location-specific factors. A specification and associated projected cost could be estimated only following full survey and design.
In particular, I am informed that CCTV systems are complex by their nature. I am informed that among the key items to be considered in any case and which would impact on the costs involved are the number of lanes to be covered by CCTV, provision of a suitable gantry or pole, the availability of electrical power and availability of a network route to transmit the CCTV images to the Garda control point and to transmit commands to the camera in the case of remote control.
Accordingly, given the range of factors which can impact on costs, it is not possible to provide an initial costing for Garda CCTV systems on motorway junctions. However, I can confirm that the Garda Vote contains an annual allocation of some €1.5 million for the maintenance and upgrade of Garda CCTV systems.
