Written answers

Tuesday, 26 April 2005

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Closed Circuit Television Systems

9:00 pm

Photo of Brian O'SheaBrian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 360: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made in the matter of the installation of closed circuit television in Waterford city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13063/05]

Photo of Brian O'SheaBrian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 361: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made in the matter of the installation of closed circuit television in Dungarvan, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13064/05]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 360 and 361 together.

As the Deputy is aware, 17 locations throughout the country, including Waterford city, are set to receive town centre CCTV systems. This expansion is being implemented on a phased basis. Phase one includes Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick, phase two includes Athlone, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Waterford, and phase three incudes Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clonmel, Ennis, Kilkenny and Sligo.

The installation of the phase one systems in Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire and Limerick has been completed and these systems are now fully operational. Of the 18 cameras in Galway, 13 are now fully operational. It is proposed to install the final five cameras in tandem with the major redevelopment works being undertaken by Galway City Council in the Eyre Square area. The issue regarding the provision of suitable space to accommodate the monitoring of CCTV cameras in Finglas Garda station is being considered, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, with regard to the overall accommodation needs of Finglas Garda station. It is hoped work can proceed to completion in Finglas in 2005.

Installation of CCTV systems is of necessity a detailed, complex and lengthy process. The Garda authorities are giving careful consideration to a restructuring of the manner in which Garda CCTV systems go to tender. I am anxious to accelerate the implementation of the remaining CCTV programme and reduce as far as possible the workload of the Garda Síochána in this regard. The proposed redesign of the tender document provides an opportunity to outsource the installation of Garda CCTV systems to the greatest possible extent, making use not only of the technical but also the project management expertise in the private sector. In this regard, I have asked the Garda Commissioner to submit proposals for a revised tender document for the 11 locations in the remaining two phases, with a view to achieving implementation in priority locations by the end of 2006.

As I have already informed the Deputy, an application for a Garda CCTV system in Dungarvan has been received by the CCTV advisory committee. This committee was established by the Garda Commissioner to advise on all matters relating to CCTV systems. The application is under consideration by the committee along with applications from other cities and towns throughout the country. The inclusion of other town centre locations, including Dungarvan, beyond the 17 already listed in the programme of Garda CCTV systems will be considered in the context of the Commissioner's proposals.

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