Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 6

Written Answers. - Closed Circuit Television Systems.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

347 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which closed circuit television systems are operational throughout the country; the extent to which local organisations, bodies, local authorities and chambers of commerce, for example, can co-operate with his Department in the provision of local closed circuit television systems; if his Department has received submissions on behalf of towns in County Kildare in relation to the installation of closed circuit television systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23984/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are currently four Garda Síochána town centre CCTV systems in operation: O'Connell Street, Dublin city; Temple Bar – Grafton Street, Dublin city; Tralee; and Cork city. Seventeen locations are set to receive new Garda CCTV systems over the next two years, subject to the availability of funds. Those locations are in alphabetical order: Athlone, Ballyfermot, Bray, Carlow, Castlebar, Clondalkin, Clonmel, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Ennis, Finglas, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, Sligo, Tallaght and Waterford.

Applications for Garda CCTV systems are assessed by an advisory committee on the basis of Garda operational needs and taking into account the following criteria: crime and public order statistics in the area; population and level of activity there; the recommendation of local Garda management; any special circumstances or needs; the likely impact of a Garda CCTV system on the area. The local chief superintendent has responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the CCTV system in his or her particular area. The composition of a typical CCTV implementation committee includes representatives of: Garda telecommunications section who will project-manage the technical aspects of the system; local crime prevention officers; the ESB; the local authority; the Office of Public Works; and local business interests.

I am further advised that the CCTV advisory committee has not to date received any formal application for the installation of a Garda CCTV system in any County Kildare town. It is understandably not possible for the Garda Síochána to install CCTV systems in all areas that have sought them. Some 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. To that end, a grant aid scheme was launched in 2002 to facilitate community-based groups which wish to press ahead with their own local CCTV system. Grant assistance of up to €100,000 will, subject to the availability of funds, be obtainable from my Department towards the cost of such systems.

A prospectus has been prepared by my Department which provides information on how to apply for grant aid funding, outlines the application process and identifies the main issues that applicants will need to consider. A code of practice, drawn up in co-operation with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, and detailed technical specifications, drawn up by the Garda Síochána, are almost complete. When both those documents have been finalised, copies will be issued to all communities and organisations which expressed an interest in the scheme. Any applications subsequently received will be evaluated and processed. I am advised that a number of expressions of interest in this scheme have been received from entities such as chambers of commerce, local authorities and various community groups from the following locations throughout County Kildare: Athy, Celbridge, Kill, Maynooth, Naas and Prosperous.