Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 221: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals in respect of Pobal funding for community closed circuit television projects, for the ongoing monitoring of this CCTV footage; the guidelines for its usage; the role of the Garda in such projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3649/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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In June 2005 I launched the Community Based CCTV Scheme to provide financial assistance to qualifying local organisations towards meeting the capital costs associated with the establishment of local community CCTV systems. The Scheme offers two types of funding: Stage 1 offers a pre-development grant of up to €5,000 to enable qualifying applicants investigate the need for CCTV in their area and to complete a detailed proposal, for submission under Stage 2 and Stage 2 is a direct Application Process for organisations who consider that they can develop and deliver a CCTV Programme immediately. It enables communities to avail of grant aid funding of up to €100,000 from this Department to install a CCTV system in their area. In addition, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has given a commitment to provide successful applications from RAPID areas with a further grant to a maximum of €100,000 subject to the total grant-aid from both Departments not exceeding €200,000 or 100% of the capital costs of the project, whichever is the lesser. Pobal have been engaged to administer the Scheme on behalf of my Department. Grants pertain to capital expenditure only. Funding is not available for the operational, maintenance and running costs of the CCTV system. All proposed Community Based CCTV systems must comply with the 'Code of Practice for CCTV Systems' and 'Technical Specification for Community Based CCTV Systems' authorised under Section 38(3)(c) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which provides a statutory basis for community groups to operate CCTV systems.

All applications must have the prior support and backing of the local Divisional Officer of the Garda Síochána. Section 38(3)(c) of the Act states, inter alia, that the Garda Commissioner shall specify the areas within which, based on the information available to him or her, the installation of CCTV is warranted. Authorisation may be given by the Garda Commissioner, to persons who meet the established criteria and whose application for authorisation in respect of a specified area has been approved by the local authority, after consulting with the joint policing committee for that administrative area. The Garda Commissioner may issue directions to authorised persons in relation to installation and operation of CCTV and may with the Minister's consent, revoke, for failure to comply with the terms and conditions or with a direction issued by the Commissioner.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 222: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the plans for the proposed new Garda stations in Ballymun and Finglas include accommodation for closed circuit television monitoring equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3650/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The information sought by the Deputy is being compiled by the Garda authorities and I will communicate with her as soon as possible.