Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 189: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the installation of closed circuit television cameras in Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary Town and Cashel, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40127/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that no applications for a Garda CCTV system has been received from Cashel, Carrick-on-Suir or Tipperary. All applications for Garda CCTV systems must be made formally through the local Garda Divisional Officer to the Advisory Committee. As the Deputy is aware, Clonmel is one of 17 areas set to receive a Garda CCTV system under the Garda CCTV Programme. The Garda authorities are currently finalising a detailed Request for Tender (RFT) for the outsourced service provision of 14 of these Garda CCTV systems in the following towns, listed alphabetically: Athlone, Carlow, Castlebar, Clonmel, Drogheda, Dungarvan, Ennis, Kilkenny, Kinsale, Mullingar, Portlaoise, Sligo, Tallaght and Waterford.

Garda Management and my Department are currently in consultation with the Department of Finance with a view to proceeding as quickly as possible with the procurement process to contract outsourced service providers for the development, installation and management of these CCTV systems, including Clonmel. This will be the subject of a peer review process organised by the Department of Finance. Following the successful conclusion of this review it is intended to issue the Request for Tender.

The Garda authorities are currently evaluating tenders for the installation of three Garda CCTV Systems in Ballyfermot, Clondalkin and Tullamore. These systems will use wireless CCTV technology which will allow CCTV cameras to be redeployed as necessary to meet changing policing requirements. Contractors will be required to complete the deployment of these CCTV systems before the end of March 2007. Further such projects are under consideration by the Garda Commissioner as part of the process of outsourcing Garda CCTV systems. Clonmel will be considered together with the remainder of the Garda CCTV Programme.

I also wish to inform the Deputy that Stage 1 grants of up to €5,000 have been allocated to the following applicants under the Community Based CCTV Scheme.

Clonmel RAPID Crime Prevention, Safety & Security Task Group

RAPID Safety & Security Task Group, Carrick-on-Suir.

It is intended to invite a new round of proposals under the Community Based CCTV Scheme in the near future. It is open to any organisation from the areas referred to by the Deputy to submit an application for grant aid of up to €100,000 under the Scheme.