Some of the state's largest town centres are to be fitted with security cameras after Minister for Justice Michael McDowell announced the offer of tenders for 17 sites.
Implementation of the Garda CCTV town scheme has already begun at three sites - Clondalkin, Ballyfermot and Tullamore - and a further €7.5 million has been allocated for the new locations.
The sites are Athlone, Carlow, Castlebar, Clonmel, Drogheda, Dungarvan, Ennis, Kilkenny, Kinsale, Mullingar, Portlaoise, Sligo, Tallaght and Waterford.
There are already Garda CCTV systems in Bray, Cork, Dublin, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Galway, Limerick and Tralee. Implementation of the system in Finglas is nearing completion.
A separate Community CCTV scheme has been in operation since 1995 providing grants of up to €100,000 or €200,000 with the assistance of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in designated areas.
Some 20 applications for funding are being assessed.
Tenders for the 17 new Garda schemes are expected to be issued by the end of the month, with installation due to begin immediately after a contractor has been appointed.