CCTV systems installed for the purposes of crime prevention and as aids to policing in areas to which the general public routinely have access, such as town centres, fall into two distinct categories: community-based CCTV systems and Garda CCTV systems.
A community-based CCTV Scheme was launched in 2005 to provide financial assistance towards the capital costs of establishing a community CCTV system. To date, two major rounds of the scheme have been advertised, in 2005/2006 and 2007, under which 45 substantive schemes have been approved for funding. Any further plans for an extension of community CCTV are dependent on a number of factors, including the progression of the schemes already grant aided, the availability of funding and overall policy considerations.
Garda CCTV systems are planned and implemented on the basis of the Garda Commissioner's identified operational needs and priorities, taking into account available resources.