Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Community safety is a top priority for me and my Department. Everyone has the right to be safe and feel safe in their communities. Community CCTV can play a vital role in achieving this goal. I think we will have all heard not just from community groups but from local representatives and gardaí as well just how important CCTV is. As the Deputy is aware, since 2017 my Department has administered the grant-aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area. The scheme was extended in 2019 to cover not only new systems, but to also provide funding for the extension or upgrade of existing systems which are incomplete or obsolete. Applicants may now seek a once-off grant of up to €5,000 for minor maintenance costs. Funding has been approved each year for these schemes and grants of over €950,000 for 35 community schemes have been approved and drawn down to date.

Recently, I announced a further €1 million in funding available for the development of community-based CCTV schemes. This continued funding underlines my commitment and my Department's commitment to working with local authorities to promote community safety. It is now open for local authorities to apply for funding through the established application channels.

I also moved to clarify the law in this area. This is the problem we have had, particularly as it relates to GDPR. The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2024, which also deals with body cameras, reforms the use of community-based CCTV. The Act was signed by the President in December and I hope to commence the legislation in stages over the course of this year. In the modern, fully digitalised society, criminals, especially organised crime gangs, have access to increasingly sophisticated digital tools to carry out their objectives. It is of crucial importance that An Garda Síochána has access to all of the technology that it needs to counter such challenges. A modern police service simply must have effective and up-to-date digital tools to keep our communities safe. It is not just about organised crime gangs; it is about crime happening more generally in an area, making sure that CCTV footage is available and ensuring we have the evidence for gardaí to be able to access. While members of An Garda Síochána should not have their hands tied behind their backs when it comes to fighting or detecting crime and putting criminals behind bars, it is important there are safeguards in place. The Act was drafted to take account of the Data Protection Commissioner's concerns regarding community CCTV.

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