Written answers

Tuesday, 27 February 2007

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Closed Circuit Television Systems

9:00 pm

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 268: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the funding allocated to the closed circuit television scheme in Mullingar in each of the past three years; if this project has gone to tender; the timescale to have CCTV operational in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7581/07]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am committed to the expansion of the CCTV programme and contracts have recently been signed by the Garda authorities for the installation of 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.

I recently announced that it is planned for tenders to issue very shortly for a further 14 centres and Mullingar is included in this announcement. Other centres (in alphabetical order) are Athlone, Carlow, Castlebar, Clonmel, Drogheda, Dungarvan, Ennis, Kilkenny, Kinsale, Portlaoise, Sligo, Tallaght, and Waterford.

A request for tender (RFT) will issue to the marketplace very shortly for the installation of the systems with Mullingar included in this tender. Depending on the tender responses received it is anticipated that the system will be installed in 2007. Until the responses are received from the market, it is not possible to indicate the cost for each location. However, I can say that over €7.5m has been provided in the Garda Vote for 2007 for these projects.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 269: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the funding allocated to the closed circuit television scheme in Tullamore in each of the past three years; if this project has gone to tender; the timescale to have CCTV operational in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7582/07]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that following issue of tenders for the supply and installation of a Garda Town Centre CCTV System in Tullamore in October, 2006, a contract for the installation, operational/technical training and maintenance of the system has been awarded to BT Communications. The contract was signed by the Garda Authorities on 1st February 2007 and a 3 month installation timeframe is envisaged. An amount in the order of €340,000 (ex VAT) has been set aside in the 2007 Garda Budget for this scheme.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 270: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the funding allocated to the closed circuit television scheme in Longford in each of the past three years; if this project has gone to tender; the timescale to have CCTV operational in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7583/07]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that they have no record of a formal application for a Garda CCTV system in Longford. All applications for Garda CCTV systems must be prepared in co-operation and with support of local Garda District and Divisional Officers. Such applications are then be submitted by the Divisional Officer to the Garda Advisory Committee for consideration and evaluation on the basis of Garda operational needs.

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 nor my Department have any involvement with this CCTV system.

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. This Scheme is 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 the qualifying standard for grant funding. I am further advised that Pobal provided feedback on applications directly to all unsuccessful applicants under the Scheme, including Longford Town Council.

I announced a new round of funding under the Community Based CCTV Scheme on 1 December 2006. Notices have been published in the national and Sunday newspapers bringing the Scheme to the attention of the public. The closing date for applications has been set at 28 February 2007.

The application documentation for the Scheme has been revised to be more user-friendly and also take account of the requirements of section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. All application documentation is published on the websites of both Pobal and my Department.

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