Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 32: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the new community based closed circuit television system funded through ADM will replace the Garda closed circuit television system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29758/05]

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, which cover areas to which the general public routinely have access, such as town centres, fall into two distinct categories: Garda CCTV systems and community based CCTV systems. The community based CCTV scheme is not intended as a replacement for Garda CCTV systems but rather as a means to assist communities to install their own local CCTV system.

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.

A number of Garda CCTV systems have been rolled out to various locations in the State in recent years. Initial installations took place in Dublin, Cork and Tralee and a further 17 locations nationwide were subsequently 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. 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 the answer is to outsource the installation of Garda CCTV systems to the greatest extent possible, making use not only of the technical expertise but also of the project management expertise in the private sector. I have asked the Garda 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 that 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 — 51 under stage 1 and 32 under stage 2 — were received by the closing date. The process of evaluation and assessment of applications is under way 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.