Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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717. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full year cost to increase the number of Garda CCTV cameras within Dublin city centre by a further 50%. [39181/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by An Garda Síochána that the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 provides the legal basis for the installation and operation of CCTV systems by An Garda Síochána for the purpose of recording public places. This requires a specific authorisation by the Garda Commissioner under section 27 of said Act.

The installation of CCTV in a specific location requires an individual and detailed assessment of all the relevant factors involved including from a legal and technical perspective. The technical considerations are detailed and completely unique to the specific location where it may be proposed to install the equipment. Consultation with the relevant local authority is needed in each instance and factors such as the number of cameras required, availability or otherwise of suitable street furniture, availability or otherwise of power and network services etc. all need to be considered. In this regard the business case and costs involved for every specific location need to be fully developed, agreed and funded before any work can commence.

Therefore, it is not possible to provide an estimated figure as requested. A full list of the individual locations where it may be proposed to install CCTV would need to be agreed and an individual business case for each location would then need to be developed in order to arrive at an estimated overall figure.

I am further advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána are currently working on a new CCTV Strategy which will outline how CCTV infrastructure utilised by AGS can be modernised and integrated with other CCTV infrastructure throughout the State. It is hoped that implementation of a modernised CCTV platform for An Garda Síochána can commence in 2026, subject to funding through the National Development Plan.