Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 322: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in view of the improvement scheme at West Street, Drogheda being carried out by Drogheda Borough Council, he will expedite the installation of closed circuit television in Drogheda town centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1655/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that Drogheda is one of the 17 areas which form part of the current Garda CCTV Programme, as follows (listed alphabetically): Athlone, Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clondalkin, Clonmel, Drogheda, Dungarvan, Ennis, Kilkenny, Kinsale, Mullingar, Portlaoise, Sligo, Tallaght, Tullamore and Waterford.

The Garda authorities are currently finalising the tender process for the installation of three Garda CCTV Systems in Ballyfermot, Clondalkin and Tullamore. These three towns were chosen as representative of the average size of a Garda Síochána CCTV system, containing a good cross-section of the type of urban area in which Garda CCTV is typically deployed. 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 within three months from the date of contract.

Further such projects are now under preparation by the Garda Commissioner as part of the process of outsourcing Garda CCTV systems. Drogheda will be considered together with the remainder of the Garda CCTV Programme.

I also wish to inform the Deputy that under the Community Based CCTV Scheme launched by me in June 2005, in response to the demonstrated demand from local communities across Ireland for the provision of CCTV systems, a grant of €89,402 has been allocated to Drogheda Borough Council following their successful application under this Scheme. It is understood that the Council's Community CCTV proposal involves the installation of cameras in a RAPID designated area in Drogheda and consequently, matching funding has been made available from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

A new round of funding under the Community Based CCTV Scheme was advertised on 1 December 2006 with a closing date of 28 February 2007. It is open to any organisation from Drogheda to submit an application for grant aid from my Department of up to €100,000 under this Scheme.