Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 387: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the recommendations of the expert committee on the installation of closed circuit television cameras in an area (details supplied) in Dublin city will be published; the number of gardaí who are employed full time in dealing with the problem of prostitution in the area; the number of women who have been arrested for soliciting in the area for each of the past five years; the number of men who have been arrested for soliciting the services of prostitutes in each of the past five years; the number of pimps living off immoral earnings in the area who have been arrested in each of the past five years; the number of prosecutions and the number of convictions in all these cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30115/04]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management is aware of the current problems in the Montpelier Hill — Arbour Hill — Benburb Street area. The Montpelier Hill area and surrounding streets are the subject of regular foot and mobile patrols by both uniformed and plain clothes gardaí. Two gardaí are employed full time in dealing with prostitution in the area concerned. I am assured the current legislation under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 is being used by the gardaí and that the area will continue to receive close attention. The number of women arrested for soliciting in the area for each of the past five years is as set out hereunder:

The number of men arrested for soliciting the services of prostitutes in the area for each of the past five years is as set out hereunder:

There have been no arrests in respect of persons living off immoral earnings in the area from 1999 to 2003 inclusive. The number of prosecutions and the number of convictions in all of the cases above are as follows:

The CCTV advisory committee, established by the Garda Commissioner to advise on CCTV matters, has received a report from the chief superintendent of the north central division of the Dublin metropolitan region which encompasses the area in question, outlining the CCTV requirements of the division. The advisory committee is still considering this report and is not in a position to make recommendations on the matter to the commissioner at present.