Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 8 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 3

Written Answers. - Closed Circuit Television Systems.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

397 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans he has to proceed with the installation of CCTV cameras in major urban areas to assist the authorities in the detection of crime; and the centres approved to date and supported financially by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25221/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

It is important to remember that Garda CCTV systems are an aid to existing Garda resources. As such, they must be viewed in the context of overall policing operations and carefully planned and integrated into Garda operational procedures.

All applications for Garda CCTV systems must be prepared in co-operation with the local Garda district and divisional officers and receive their full support. Funding for Garda CCTV systems is normally provided jointly by local community interests and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It has been the experience of the Garda authorities that the cost of an efficient and effective CCTV system is, on average, £20,000 to £25,000 per camera plus an additional amount towards civil works. This additional amount varies according to the availability of ducting, etc.

Three Garda CCTV systems have been installed to date in the State – in Temple Bar, Dublin; in Dublin North Central, which includes O'Connell Street and its adjoining areas and in Tralee, County Kerry. The combined cost of the CCTV systems was in excess of £1.5 million.

The advisory committee established by the Garda Commissioner to evaluate CCTV applications has received in excess of 40 applications for the installation of Garda CCTV systems. Six locations have been prioritised for the installation of such systems. These are, in alphabetical order: Bray, Cork, Dublin South Central, Dundalk, Finglas, and Limerick. The remaining applications are under consideration by the CCTV advisory committee and their recommendations will be submitted to me in due course.

The extension of the Garda CCTV system in Dublin South Central consisting of 15 cameras which includes Grafton Street and its adjoining areas and the installation of a CCTV system in Cork city consisting of 29 cameras are the CCTV projects currently being undertaken. Final costings are not yet available for these two projects, but it is envisaged that the final combined cost, including ancillary work, will be in excess of £1 million. The order in which the remaining priority locations will be undertaken has not yet been decided – although it is intended to commence the installation of Garda CCTV systems in each of the prioritised locations as soon as possible.

Recently the Garda CCTV system in Dublin North Central was increased from 38 to 42 cameras. The CCTV system in Dublin South Central, when complete, will result in the cameras in the original Temple Bar area being increased from nine to 24 cameras to cover Grafton Street and its adjoining areas.

Some delays have been encountered in progressing various CCTV projects due, in part, to the fact that the demand from various communities for CCTV systems has been very significant. A shortage of technicians in the telecommunications section of the Garda Síochána has also impacted on the progress in implementing CCTV systems. Notwithstanding this, it also became evident that the existing approach to CCTV could not cope with the demand and a review of all aspects of CCTV was required. I, therefore, decided to initiate a review of CCTV and asked the Garda Commissioner to look at this whole area. The review is now complete and I expect to make a statement on CCTV in the near future.