Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 188: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the funding for a closed circuit television system for Longford town; and when he expects this system to be installed. [36383/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are no plans at present to provide a Garda CCTV system for Longford Town. I understand, however, that there are a number of CCTV cameras in operation on Main Street, Longford which were funded and installed by local business people and are operated voluntarily. Neither the Garda authorities or my Department have any involvement with this CCTV system.

I am advised that there is no record of any formal application for a Garda CCTV system in Longford. All applications for Garda CCTV systems must be prepared in co-operation with the local Garda District and Divisional Officers and must receive their full support. Applications must then be submitted by the Divisional Officer to the Garda Advisory Committee for consideration and evaluation on the basis of Garda operational needs.

I am further informed that an application for grant-aid funding under my Department's Community Based CCTV Scheme was received from Longford Town Council. The Scheme is being administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department. I understand that following a thorough assessment of their application, Longford Town Council's application for funding was deemed not to reach a high enough standard to be granted funding. I am further advised that Pobal provided feedback on applications directly to all unsuccessful applicants under the Scheme, including Longford Town Council.

Applications for funding are thoroughly assessed by Pobal against the criteria set out in the Community Based CCTV Scheme Application Guidelines with a view to forming a list of projects suitable for funding under the Scheme. All applications, including those recommended for funding by Pobal, are then considered by the Community Based CCTV Project Board, which is chaired by my Department, before a final decision is taken on the matter.

I intend to invite a new round of applications for funding under the Community Based CCTV Scheme in the coming weeks, and it will be open to Longford Town Council to submit another application for funding at that stage having taken on board the feedback from Pobal about their earlier application.