McDowell eyes €1.5m CCTV roll-out

THE number of security cameras in towns is set to increase dramatically in the new year after grants were awarded to dozens of projects as part of a €1.5 million scheme.

Close circuit television (CCTV) camera systems are to be installed shortly in 13 towns, including Tralee, Sligo, Waterford and Drogheda, while another 24 towns have been granted preliminary funding under the community CCTV scheme.

The Department of Justice has given preliminary funding of up to €5,000 for the installation of CCTV systems in areas like Blackpool in Cork city, Clonmel, New Ross and Ballina. In Dublin, nine community groups in the inner city and suburbs like Tallaght received the grants.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell, who had expressed frustration with the slow roll-out of CCTV systems by the gardaí, said it allowed communities to press ahead with CCTV schemes themselves.

"Many communities are willing and eager to take a proactive approach to improving the safety and well-being of their area, in cooperation with the Garda Síochána. CCTV has proved extremely successful in the prevention and detection of crime, and is part of a series of measures aimed at tackling street assaults and public disorder," he said.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has expressed concern about CCTV's effect on a person's right to privacy but there has been a strong demand for the systems in towns like Letterkenny.

It is one of the 13 towns which will receive up to 70% funding under the €1.5m community CCTV scheme, with the maximum grant capped at €100,000. Around 15% of the cost must be raised by the community group applying for the scheme and the remainder can be raised from public bodies such as local authorities.

Some of the towns which are installing CCTV, such as Tuam and Ballinasloe in Co Galway, and Athy in Co Kildare, are designated as disadvantaged under the Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development (RAPID) scheme. They will receive a matching CCTV grant from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

"Anti-social behaviour is a major challenge in RAPID areas and can affect the everyday lives of people living there. CCTV has proven to be a very effective measure in reducing anti-social behaviour and therefore improving the quality of life of our most vulnerable citizens," said Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Éamon Ó Cuív.