Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 7 Feb 2001

Vol. 530 No. 1

Written Answers. - Street Crime.

Derek McDowell

Ceist:

43 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will announce his plans for greater use of Garda closed circuit television systems in view of their value in combating street crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3185/01]

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

As part of the Garda CCTV expansion programme, I recently announced the allocation of a total of £12 million towards the installation of CCTV systems nationwide over the next three years – with £4 million being allocated in 2001.

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 above will be installed in the period 2001-02.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that tenders will soon issue for the provision of town centre CCTV systems in Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick. The planning, including the consultation process, for the location and operation of Garda CCTV systems for Athlone, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Waterford will commence later this year with the objective of having the systems installed and operational in 2002.

I am further informed by the Garda Authorities that a local town centre CCTV implementation committee will be established by the local chief superintendent in each area where a Garda CCTV system is to be installed. The local chief superintendent will have responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the CCTV system in his-her particular area. The composition of this committee will include representatives of the following: Garda telecommunications section who will project manage the technical aspects of the system, local crime prevention officers, ESB, local authority, Office of Public Works and local business interests. While these Garda systems will be funded by my Department, co-funding will also be a feature of them and will be addressed when detailed costings are available and before work on the installation of the CCTV systems commences.

I am, however, also conscious that some applications for CCTV systems that have been received by the advisory committee, established by the Garda Commissioner to evaluate applications for Garda 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 to areas which are not rated as a high level Garda priority. To this end, I plan to introduce a grant scheme this year 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 soon.