Written answers

Thursday, 29 September 2005

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Closed Circuit Television Systems

5:00 pm

Mildred Fox (Wicklow, Independent)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide funding for the provision of a closed circuit television system for the town of Arklow. [26038/05]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by Garda authorities that an application for a Garda CCTV system in Arklow has been received and is under consideration by the advisory committee, along with applications from other cities and towns throughout the country.

As the Deputy is aware, some 17 locations nationwide which has been selected to receive a Garda CCTV system. This programme of implementation of CCTV systems is being implemented on a phased basis as follows: phase 1 — Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick; phase 2 — Athlone, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Waterford; and phase 3 — Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clonmel, Ennis, Kilkenny and Sligo.

Installation of CCTV systems is of necessity a detailed, complex and lengthy process. 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. I believe that the answer is 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. I have asked the Commissioner to submit proposals for outsourced CCTV systems in the 11 locations in the remaining two phases, with a view to achieving implementation in priority locations by the end of 2006.

As a first step in this process the Garda authorities engaged a consultancy firm to examine all aspects of Garda involvement in CCTV systems, including: the installation, operation and management of CCTV systems; monitoring, recording and related activities; accommodation and situation of facilities and staff regarding the town CCTV system and Garda station premises; and assessment of civilianisation of Garda CCTV monitoring conducted under the management of the Garda Síochána.

The consultancy firm also examined which procurement model is the most suitable in terms of commercial viability and cost effectiveness for the provision of town centre CCTV systems. This consultancy process has recently concluded and the Garda authorities are now finalising their proposals in consultation with my Department.

The inclusion of other town centre locations, including Arklow, beyond the 17 already listed in the programme of Garda CCTV systems will be considered in the context of the revised procurement model. The Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible for the Garda Síochána to install CCTV systems in all areas that have sought them. To this end, I launched the community based CCTV scheme on 15 June 2005. This scheme has been developed in response to a demonstrated demand from local communities across Ireland for the provision of CCTV systems. 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. The scheme is being administered on behalf of my Department by Area Development Management Limited, ADM.

I am informed by ADM that while a total of 83 applications for funding under the community based CCTV scheme, 51 under stage one and 32 under stage two, were received by the closing date of 20 September 2005, no application for funding under either stage was received in respect of Arklow. It is anticipated that a further call for funding for community based CCTV systems will issue in early 2006.

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