Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 534: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the application for a much needed Garda closed circuit television system in Swords, County Dublin; when approval will be given; and when the system will be installed. [23946/05]

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 535: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the application for a much needed Garda closed circuit television system in Malahide, County Dublin; when approval will be given; and when the system will be installed. [23947/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 534 and 535 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that applications for Garda CCTV systems inMalahide and Swords have been received by the CCTV advisory committee. This committee was established by the Garda Commissioner to advise on all matters relating to CCTV systems. These applications are currently under consideration by the advisory committee along with applications from other towns throughout the country. However, it should be noted that there are currently approved plans for 17 Garda CCTV systems nationwide, six of which have been or are being installed. These will have to be completed prior to the initiation of future Garda CCTV projects.

I am anxious to accelerate the implementation of the CCTV programme and reduce, as far as possible, the workload of the Garda Síochána in this regard. The opportunity should be taken to outsource the installation of Garda CCTV systems to the greatest extent possible, making use not only of the technical but also of the project management expertise in the private sector. To that end, the Commissioner has been asked to submit proposals for the installation of CCTV in the outstanding 11 locations in the current phase, with a view to achieving implementation in priority locations by the end of 2006. It is, understandably, not possible for the Garda Síochána to install CCTV systems in all areas that have sought them. With this in mind, I launched the community-based CCTV scheme earlier this month in response to the demonstrated demand from local communities across Ireland, such as Swords and Malahide, for the provision of CCTV systems. The purpose of the scheme is to support local communities who wish to install and maintain CCTV security systems in their area, with the aim of increasing public safety and reducing the risk of anti-social and criminal activity.

The scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to qualifying local organisations, towards meeting the capital costs associated with the establishment of local community CCTV systems. Under this scheme, individual communities will be able to avail of grant aid funding of up to €100,000 from my Department to install a CCTV system in their area.

I am also pleased to say that further to discussions between our respective Departments, my colleague, the Minister Deputy Ó Cuív of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has given a commitment to provide successful applicants from RAPID areas with a further grant to a maximum of €100,000 subject to the total grant aid from both Departments not exceeding €200,000 or 100% of the capital costs of the project, whichever is the lesser.

These CCTV systems will have to be installed to a high-end technical specification and operated in compliance with a strict code of practice. Access to these CCTV systems will also have to be given to the Garda Síochána as required.

The scheme is being managed, on behalf my Department, by Area Development Management Limited, ADM. Communities who are not ready to apply for full scheme funding may apply for pre-development supports to assist in the formulation of high-quality proposals which will have the necessary elements of local support and sustainability.

Full details of the scheme, together with the relevant application forms and guidelines, are available on my Department's website atwww.justice.ie or the ADM website atwww.adm.ie. They are also available directly from ADM, Holbrook House, Holles St., Dublin 2.