Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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278. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the initial cost of a Garda-controlled CCTV system; and the estimated annual cost of same. [39741/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda resources, including the installation of Garda CCTV systems, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no direct role in that matter.

I understand from the Garda authorities that it is difficult to provide the specific figure requested, as the requirements for each proposed CCTV system depend on a range of location-specific factors. A specification and associated projected cost could be estimated only following full survey and design.

In particular, I am informed that CCTV systems are complex by their nature. I am informed that among the key issues to be considered in any case and which would impact on costs are the physical nature of the areas to be covered by CCTV, provision of a suitable gantry or pole where necessary, the availability of electrical power and availability of a network route to transmit the CCTV images to the Garda control point and to transmit commands to the camera in the case of remote control.

Accordingly, given the range of factors which can impact on costs, it is not possible to provide an initial or annual cost for Garda controlled CCTV systems. However, I can confirm that the Garda Vote contains an annual allocation of some €1.5 million for the maintenance and upgrade of Garda CCTV systems.