Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2362. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the pilot motorway CCTV scheme in County Laois that was announced in 2015; the number of cameras involved; the set-up cost; the annual running cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33171/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA rural CCTV initiative was announced by the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in September 2015. This was, however, a small pilot scheme only, with a limited overall budget which was delivered through local community organisations. This scheme came to an end in 2016 with no provision for further funding. The funding came from the Local Government Fund. €50,000 was approved for the pilot scheme, and I understand it involved 20 cameras in seven locations around Dunmore, County Laois. The ongoing running and maintenance costs of the scheme are met by Dunmore Community Alert, a community group carrying out excellent work in the locality.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to supporting investment in CCTV systems. I understand that the Department of Justice and Equality launched a Community-based CCTV Grant-aid Scheme in April 2017, to assist community groups in the establishment of CCTV systems in their local areas. The Scheme is intended to support local communities who wish to install and maintain CCTV security systems in their area, with the aim of increasing public safety and to deter illegal or anti-social behaviour.
