Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 264: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the installation of closed circuit television by location in County Louth; the success to date of the system; the future plans for increased funding and expansion of the service in County Louth by location; if changes have been made in such plans as a result of cutbacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12790/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently two Garda Town Centre CCTV systems located in Dundalk and Drogheda. These systems are managed by An Garda Síochána and are monitored on a 24 hour basis. In addition, there is a Community based CCTV scheme operational in Drogheda consisting of six cameras and plans are well advanced by Drogheda Borough Council to further expand this scheme. Also, a proposed Community based scheme in Dundalk at Cox's Demesne and Muirhevnamor has been approved and two further groups — Carlingford and Louth County Council — Blackrock, have been awarded small pre-development grants to assist with developing proposals for the installation of Community CCTV schemes in their areas. Grant aided funding is provided for the Community based schemes by my Department with matching funding provided by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in respect of RAPID areas.

CCTV systems have become an important and effective tool to support policing and community safety in these areas and they also act as a useful deterrent to crime and public disorder. Garda CCTV schemes are planned and implemented on the basis of the Garda Commissioner's identified operational needs and priorities. Before grants are awarded under the Community based scheme, a comprehensive vetting of applications is carried out by Pobal on behalf of my Department. As part of the process, an assessment of needs, including an analysis of crime statistics and other background information, is carried out by the local Garda Divisional Officer. Any future plans for extension of CCTV are dependent on a number of factors including the availability of funding, the progression of schemes already grant aided and overall policy considerations.