Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 259: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the closed circuit television schemes in Dublin 8, 10, 12 and 20 which have received or are expected to receive grant aid from his Department. [10429/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy is aware I launched the Community Based CCTV Scheme in June 2005 in response to the demonstrated demand from local communities across Ireland for the provision of CCTV systems. This Scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to qualifying local organisations towards meeting the capital costs associated with the establishment of local community CCTV systems. This 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. 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.

I have been informed by Pobal, who have been engaged to administer the Scheme on behalf of my Department, that in the areas referred to by the Deputy, the following applications have been received: Dublin City Council — (Liberties Area, Oliver Bond complex) — applied for Stage 1 (pre-development grant) and received €5,000. Pobal invited all groups who received Stage 1 grants to apply for stage 2 funding. The group applied within the closing date of the end of January 2007 for stage 2 funding and Pobal are now carrying out evaluations of this and other applications received under this round of the scheme.

When the scheme was first launched, The Base, Ballyfermot and the Islamic Foundation (South Circular Road) both applied for Stage 2 funding in September, 2005. Following a thorough assessment of their applications both groups application for funding was deemed not to reach a high enough standard to be granted funding. Pobal have provided direct feedback to the unsuccessful applicants under the Scheme.

A new round of funding under the Community Based CCTV Scheme was advertised on 1 December 2006. The closing date for applications was 28 February 2007. I have been informed by Pobal that under this round an application for Stage 2 funding has been received from Dublin City Council (St. Teresa's Gardens Youth Project). This application will be evaluated by Pobal and recommendations will be made by end May 2007.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 260: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to a closed circuit television scheme being proposed for the Cleggen area of Ballyfermot; the exact sites that have been chosen for cameras; if there has been or is intended to be local public consultation on the matter; the person who will be responsible for the scheme and its monitoring; and if it is connected in any way with his Department. [10430/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Garda based CCTV Systems are a positive aid to policing and public safety and act as a deterrent to crime and public disorder. The schemes are usually located within the commercial and recreational areas of our towns and cities.

Applications for Garda CCTV systems are assessed by the CCTV Advisory Committee (a committee set up by the Garda Commissioner) on the basis of Garda operational needs and take into account the following criteria:

crime/public order statistics in the area;

population and level of activity there;

the recommendation of local Garda management;

any special circumstances/needs that exist; and

the likely impact of a Garda CCTV system on the area.

In October, 2006, the Garda authorities sought tenders for the provision of 3 systems — Ballyfermot, Clondalkin and Tullamore. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Ballyfermot CCTV system will be made up of eighteen cameras at the following locations:

(1) Ballyfermot Road/Cherry Orchard Industrial Estate,

(2) Ballyfermot Road/Clifden Road,

(3) Ballyfermot Road/Le Fanu Road,

(4) Ballyfermot Road/Tesco's Junction,

(5) Decies Road/O'Hogan Road,

(6) Decies Road/Garryowen Road,

(7) Ballyfermot Road/Garryowen Road,

(8) Kylemore Road/Le Fanu Road,

(9 ) Ballyfermot Road/Colepark Drive,

(10) Raheen Park/Cloverhill Road,

(11) Kylemore Avenue/Ballyfermot Road,

(12) Clifden Road/Clifden Drive,

(13) Cherry Orchard Avenue/Blackditch Road,

(14) Claddagh Green Shopping Area,

(15) Sarsfield Road/St. Lawrences Road,

(16 ) Kylemore Road/Labre Park,

(17) Cleggan Park/Drumfinn Avenue,

(18) Kennelsforth Road/Old Lucan Road.

Details of the proposed installation were advertised in the national newspapers and in accordance with normal planning processes are available for inspection at Ballyfermot Garda Station, Dublin City Council Planning Department Wood Quay and Garda Headquarters Phoenix Park.

The scheme is under the control of the local Garda District Officer and will be monitored in Ballyfermot Garda Station.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 261: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the erection of a closed circuit television scheme in the Lisadell area of Drimnagh; if there was local public consultation on the matter; the person who is responsible for the scheme and its monitoring; and if it is connected in any way with his Department. [10431/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy may be aware I launched the Community Based CCTV Scheme in June 2005 in response to the demonstrated demand from local communities across Ireland for the provision of CCTV systems. This Scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to qualifying local organisations towards meeting the capital costs associated with the establishment of local community CCTV systems. Pobal have been engaged to administer the Scheme on behalf of my Department. Grant aid funding of up to €100,000 is available from my Department with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs providing matching funds for successful applications from RAPID areas.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the CCTV System referred to by the Deputy is not a Garda CCTV System. I have also been informed by Pobal that no application for funding under the Community Based CCTV Scheme has been received from any group/organisation in the Lisadell area of Drimnagh.