Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 331: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if applications have been submitted by local authorities (details supplied) in County Mayo requesting funding for the provision of closed circuit television cameras; and the funding which has been provided for County Mayo in relation to this matter. [21695/06]

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

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Castlebar is one of the 17 locations nationwide which form part of the Garda CCTV programme that remains to be completed.

I am anxious to accelerate the implementation of Garda CCTV systems 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. My Department is currently in consultation with the Department of Finance with a view to proceeding as quickly as possible with the procurement process to contract the project managers and outsourced service providers for the development, installation and management of these CCTV systems.

My intention is to have a Garda CCTV system operating in Castlebar and in the other 16 locations at the earliest opportunity, subject to compliance with relevant procurement legislation and procedures.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that an application for a Garda CCTV system in Ballina has been received by the CCTV Advisory Committee. This application is currently under consideration by the Committee. No application has been received for a Garda CCTV system in Westport.

As the Deputy may be aware I launched the Community Based CCTV Scheme on 15 June 2005 in response to the demonstrated demand from local communities across Ireland for the provision of CCTV systems. This 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. Ballina (CCTV Steering Committee) and Kiltimagh (IRD) both submitted proposals for Stage 1 (pre-development) funding under this Scheme. No other applications were received from local authorities, towns or communities in Co. Mayo.

Following thorough assessments of their applications, I approved a pre-development grant of €5,000 in respect of Ballina (CCTV Steering Committee's) application, I understand that Ballina Town Council formed part of this Committee. Kiltimagh's (IRD) application for funding was deemed not to reach a high enough standard to be granted funding at this stage.

It is intended to invite a new round of applications for funding under this Scheme in the coming months, and it is, of course, open to any local authority or other group in Co. Mayo to submit an application for funding at that stage.