190 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to introduce CCTV cameras in Castleisland, County Kerry. [3848/02]

I am advised by the Garda authorities that no formal application has been received by the advisory committee, established by the Garda Commissioner to evaluate CCTV applications, in respect of Castleisland. I can, however, say that I received correspondence from a person in Castleisland in June 1999 requesting a CCTV system for the area. A response issued to this person the following month explaining the procedures that should be followed.

Applications for Garda CCTV systems must be prepared in co-operation with the local Garda district and divisional officers and receive their full support. Applications may then be considered by the advisory committee who make a recommendation to me in this regard.

Applications are assessed by the committee on the basis of Garda operational needs and include the following criteria; crime and public order statistics in the area; population and level of activity there; the recommendation of local Garda management and any special circumstances or needs that exist and the likely impact of a Garda CCTV system to that area. Co-funding is a feature of Garda CCTV systems and this is usually addressed when it has been decided to install a Garda CCTV system in an area.