Seamus Kirk
Ceist:327 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans for closed circuit television for Ardee, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28283/00]
Written Answers. - Closed Circuit Television Systems.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that an application for a Garda CCTV system in Ardee town has been considered by the advisory committee that was established by the Garda Commissioner to evaluate CCTV applications.
Applications for Garda CCTV systems are assessed by the advisory committee on the basis of Garda operational needs and include the following criteria: crime-public order statistics in the area; population and level of activity there; the recommendation of local Garda management and any special circumstances-needs that exist.
I am also advised by the Garda authorities that following consideration of all the available information in relation to the application for Ardee town, the CCTV advisory committee decided not to recommend the installation of a Garda CCTV system in the town.
In this regard, I would like to say that I am conscious that some applications for CCTV systems relate to relatively small schemes which, while of importance to the local community, cannot be regarded as a national Garda priority. I have given careful consideration to how assistance can be provided for areas which are not rated as a high level Garda priority. To this end, I plan to introduce a grants scheme in 2001 to cater for those communities which would like to press ahead on their own with a local CCTV system. It will be up to the local interests to install and monitor the CCTV schemes. However, grant assistance will be provided. To qualify for grant aid, certain minimum standards will have to be met and the Garda will have to be allowed access to the system when and as it requires it. Local authorities will have an important role to play. The details of this new scheme are being finalised and full details of the scheme, including relevant conditions and grant levels, will be announced early in the new year.