More towns to get CCTV in crime crackdown
Six new towns across the country are to have security cameras installed as part of the Garda CCTV programme, Minister for Justice Michael McDowell announced today.
The addition of Drogheda, Dungarvan, Kinsale, Mullingar, Portlaoise and Tullamore will bring to 17 the total number of locations where Garda CCTV systems will be set up under a new outsourcing initiative.
Mr McDowell said a major drive to extend CCTV coverage to provincial towns will take place this year.
“I have made available €5.1mn in 2006 to An Garda Síochana for this purpose,” he said.
“I am anxious to accelerate the implementation of Garda CCTV systems across the country and in that regard the Garda Commissioner has recently submitted to me a comprehensive and innovative proposal for the project management and the outsourced service provision of the 17 CCTV systems.
“The procurement process to contract the project managers and outsourced service providers for the development, installation and management of these CCTV systems will now proceed as quickly as possible.
“The implementation of Garda CCTV systems and Community CCTV systems will provide a strong deterrent to the commissioning of many crimes and a useful investigative tool for An Garda Síochana in the fight against crime.”
The Garda authorities will shortly commence the initial public procurement process and Mr McDowell said he was anxious to proceed urgently with the schemes.
The 17 locations to be provided with Garda CCTV systems under the new outsourcing initiative are:
Athlone, Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clondalkin, Clonmel, Drogheda, Dungarvan, Ennis, Kilkenny, Kinsale, Mullingar, Portlaoise, Sligo, Tallaght, Tullamore and Waterford.
Under the former CCTV implementation programme, Garda CCTV systems were implemented in Bray, Cork, Dublin, Dundalk, Dun Laoghaire, Galway, Limerick and Tralee and planning is proceeding for the implementation of the Finglas CCTV system.
The Garda CCTV programme is being progressed alongside the Community Based CCTV Scheme.
Mr McDowell launched that scheme in June 2005 with Minister Eamon O Cuiv to provide financial assistance to local organisations towards meeting the capital costs associated with implementing their own local CCTV system.
Over €1m in grant aid has already been allocated to 37 communities under the scheme and many of these will see their CCTV systems in operation before the end of the year.
The minister plans to make a further call for proposals under the scheme in the coming months.
