Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach. The Minister of State is very welcome and I thank her for taking time out of her busy schedule to be here.

Everyone agrees about the benefits of CCTV systems. They are located in many of our towns and cities, and are invaluable pieces of equipment when it comes to the investigation of crime or preventing crime. A UK study in 2013 estimated that 20% of crimes were prevented by having a CCTV system in place. There is no doubt they are hugely beneficial pieces of equipment. They allow people to go about their daily lives and if people want to go for a walk at night-time, they can do so with a sense of security. They are invaluable when it comes to investigating assaults and other crimes, which is a proven fact.

The statistics from the Department show that, for each of the three years from 2017 to 2020, €1 million was allocated towards CCTV systems. However, I am led to believe that only €750,000 has actually been approved, which clearly shows there is a problem with the system. The current application process is much too cumbersome and much too drawn out, and it is putting off many communities from applying in the first place.

I was interested to look back at some of my notes.Three years ago I raised this issue of CCTV systems in respect of Monaghan town and countrywide as well as the issue of delays. That was three years ago. The then Minister for Justice, Deputy Flanagan, was in the seat now occupied by the Minister of State. I was looking for an update in respect of the system generally throughout the country and in Monaghan town. Here we are three years later. I am back in the Chamber this morning still looking for an update on the CCTV system for Monaghan town.

To sum up, I asked the then Minister, Deputy Flanagan, to look at the application process for community CCTV systems to see how those responsible could take away some of the cumbersome aspects to the application process. I wonder whether there has been an update in respect of that. Does the Minister of State have an update for me on Monaghan town and exactly where that scheme is this morning?