Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy has evidenced, A Programme for a Partnership Government commits to supporting investment in CCTV systems at key locations along the road network and in urban centres.  Progress is being made with this commitment in a number of ways. In pursuance of this commitment, a community-based CCTV grant aid scheme was launched by the Department of Justice and Equality in April 2017 to help groups to set up community-based CCTV systems in their local areas. Under this scheme, which is being administered by the Department, eligible community groups can apply for grant aid of up to 60% of the total capital cost of a proposed CCTV system, up to a maximum grant of €40,000.

It is intended that the scheme will run for three years from April 2017 with funding of €1 million being made available each year. To date, four applications under the scheme have been approved, with approved funding totalling almost €120,000 and schemes to be established in Counties Wexford and Wicklow. A further four applications are under active consideration and another three applications have been returned to the applicants concerned to enable them to provide the information necessary to qualify for grant aid.

That scheme supplements the existing network of CCTV systems in operation in the State. I understand there are approximately 35 Garda CCTV schemes in operation throughout the State, comprising in excess of 500 cameras. In addition, there are approximately 45 community-based CCTV schemes in operation encompassing over 360 cameras to which An Garda Síochána have access, supported under the previous grant aid scheme funded by my Department. As a condition of the scheme, there is a requirement for prior support of the relevant local authority, which must act as data controller. This is a long-standing statutory requirement, set out in the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006. Full details of the grant aid package, including guidelines, application forms, code of practice and other relevant documentation, are all available to download from my Department's website, www.justice.ie. Guidance is available to help local groups in both rural and urban areas to apply for this important funding and I am keen to ensure that groups take full advantage of the availability of this funding.

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