Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 920: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his plans to make funding available for the extension of closed circuit television coverage in a town (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32077/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Community-based CCTV Scheme was launched in 2005 to provide financial assistance to qualifying local organisations towards the capital costs of establishing a community CCTV system. To date there have been two major rounds of this Scheme, in 2005 and 2007. Under the 2007 round of the Scheme, a grant of €99,893 was awarded by my Department to the town referred to by the Deputy, for the installation of cameras at 14 locations. Matching funding was also provided by the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs bringing the total award to almost €200,000.

I am advised by Pobal, who administer the Scheme on behalf of my Department, that the installation of these cameras is expected to commence shortly, following the completion of preparatory works. I am further advised that the specific locations referred to by the Deputy did not form part of the original application for funding and, consequently, do not form part of this project. Any future plans for an extension of CCTV are dependent on a number of factors, including the progression of the schemes already grant aided, the availability of funding and overall policy considerations. A Garda Town Centre CCTV system is also operational in the town.