Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 653: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide funding for neighbourhood watch organisations and for the installation of closed circuit television; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28887/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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CCTV systems installed for the purposes of crime prevention and as aids to policing, and which cover areas to which the public routinely have access, such as town centres, fall into two distinct categories: Garda CCTV systems and community-based CCTV systems. Garda CCTV and community-based CCTV systems are funded directly from a provision within the Garda Vote. Finance for Garda CCTV systems is allocated each year in the Estimates process, with the amount sought being based on current and planned Garda projects. In addition to the Garda CCTV systems in Dublin, Cork and Tralee a further 17 locations nationwide were 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 in Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick; phase 2 in Athlone, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Waterford; phase 3 in Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clonmel, Ennis, Kilkenny and Sligo. Phase 1 has been completed in five of the six locations.

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. The Garda authorities are now finalising their proposals in consultation with my Department.

The Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible for the Garda Síochána to install Garda 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. Communities which are not ready to apply for full scheme funding, stage 2, could apply for pre-development supports, stage 1, to assist in the formulation of high-quality proposals which will have the necessary elements of local support and sustainability.

The closing date for receipt of applications was 20 September 2005 and the scheme is being administered on behalf of my Department by Area Development Management Limited, ADM. I am informed by ADM that a total of 83 applications for funding under the community-based CCTV scheme, with 51 under stage 1 and 32 under stage 2, received by the closing date. The process of evaluation and assessment of applications is underway and recommendations will be made, by ADM, to my Department's community-based CCTV project board in due course. It is intended to invite a new round of applications for funding under the scheme early next year.

With regard to the provision of funding for neighbourhood watch organisations, I am strongly of the view that voluntary community organisations have, through their support for and work with the Garda Síochána, an important role to play in crime prevention and the promotion of community safety. I very much support the work being carried out by neighbourhood watch and community alert schemes throughout the country. Discussions are under way on a number of issues regarding neighbourhood watch, in the context of which the issue of funding for the groups is being considered.