Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his plans regarding the implementation of a new closed circuit television surveillance provision programme for communities; if any research has being carried out regarding the benefits of the existing schemes in relation to a reduction in the number of anti social behaviour incidents in such areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30442/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Community-based CCTV Scheme is designed to support local communities who wish to install CCTV systems in their area, with the aim of increasing public safety and reducing the risk of anti-social and criminal activity. The day-to-day administration of this Scheme is carried out by Pobal on behalf of my Department. Substantive grants of up to €100,000 have been made available from my Department with the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs providing matching funding for successful applications from RAPID areas. Pre-development grants of up to €5,000 have also been made available to assist local communities to develop substantive proposals in their areas.

Two major rounds of the Scheme were advertised in 2005/2006 and 2007 with a total of 13 and 30 substantive Schemes respectively approved for funding. A further 2 Schemes under the Limerick Regeneration Programme were approved in 2008. In addition, 54 Schemes were awarded pre-development grants over the same period. To date, a total of 26 substantive Schemes has been installed. Installation of the remaining 19 Community CCTV Schemes is ongoing with Schemes at various stages of implementation.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that, while they have not conducted specific research on the impact of CCTV, they are satisfied that these systems provide a valuable source of information to An Garda Síochána in the prevention and detection of criminal activity.

Any further plans for extending CCTV are dependent on a number of factors, including the availability of funding, progression of the Schemes already grant aided and overall policy considerations.