Seamus Kirk
Ceist:369 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans he has for closed circuit television for Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29605/00]
Written Answers. - Closed Circuit Television Systems.
There is no record in my Department of any formal application being received for a Garda CCTV system in Drogheda.
Representations were received earlier this year requesting the installation of a Garda CCTV system in the town and detailed responses issued at the time advising, inter alia, of the procedure to follow in this regard. No formal application has, however, since been received either in my Department or by the advisory committee, that was established by the Garda Commissioner to examine CCTV applications, in respect of Drogheda.
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. They may then be considered by the advisory committee who will make a recommendation to me in this regard. 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.
Applications for Garda CCTV systems are assessed by the advisory committee on the basis of Garda operational needs and include the following criteria: crime and public order statistics in the area; population and level of activity there; the recommendation of local Garda management and any special circumstances or needs that exist.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced an expansion of Garda CCTV sys tems. As part of the first tranche, Garda CCTV systems are to be installed in the following areas: Athlone, Bray, Clondalkin, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Tallaght. At least a further six areas will commence in 2003 and they will be announced in due course. It is anticipated that the ten CCTV systems referred to will be installed in the period 2001-2002. Co-funding is also a feature of Garda CCTV systems and will be addressed when detailed costings are available and before work on the installation of the CCTV systems.
In this regard, I am conscious that some applications for CCTV systems that have been received by the advisory committee 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 to areas which are not rated as a high level Garda priority. To this end, I plan to introduce a grant scheme in 2001 to cater for those communities who 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 they require 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.