Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Nov 2001

Vol. 543 No. 2

Written Answers. - Closed Circuit Television Systems.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

712 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of towns that have installed closed circuit television systems; the plans his Department has to increase this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26930/01]

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

Garda CCTV systems are currently in operation in the following areas: Dublin North Central, which is O'Connell Street and surrounding areas; Dublin South Central, which is Grafton Street and surrounding areas; and Tralee, County Kerry. A Garda CCTV system is currently being installed in Cork city and I understand, in this regard, that a number of the cameras in the system are now fully operational. I announced late last year that the number of Garda CCTV systems was to be extended. As part of the first tranche of this expansion, CCTV systems are to be installed in Athlone, Bray, Clondalkin, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Tallaght. It is anticipated that these ten CCTV systems will be installed by the end of 2002. At least six further area systems will commence in 2003 and they will be announced in due course.

Tenders have been received and are currently being evaluated in respect of Garda town centre CCTV systems for Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick. It is intended to seek tenders for Athlone, Clondalkin, Waterford and Tallaght by the end of the year. I am also conscious that some applications for CCTV systems that have been received by the advisory committee established by the Commissioner 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 soon to cater for those communities who would like to press ahead on their own with a local CCTV system. While it will be up to the local interests to install and monitor the CCTV schemes, grant assistance will be provided. To qualify for grant aid, certain minimum standards will have to be met and the Gardaí 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 currently being finalised and full details of the scheme including relevant conditions and grant levels will be announced soon.