Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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8. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on engagement with local authorities with regard to community CCTV schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17839/24]

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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My question relates to the Minister's and the Department's engagement with local authorities regarding the CCTV scheme that was rolled out recently, following the passage of legislation which enabled local authorities to actually get these schemes up and running. They are a long-required benefit to communities up and down the country to make people safer in their own communities.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister. I alluded to the fact that these schemes are just so important. They provide people with peace of mind that if there is an incident, it can be looked back at. If there is an event, for instance, like the concerts that take place in Malahide Castle every summer, it is important that there is the opportunity for An Garda Síochána to engage with the local authority to make sure that everything is running as it should be. I am glad the Minister mentioned the GDPR element because that has been, frankly, a disappointment in recent years. Local authorities have wanted to run schemes or have had schemes in place but have been unable to review or deal with An Garda Síochána from an evidentiary perspective. In most instances that I can think of in Fingal, the schemes are no longer in existence because they became obsolete. I am pleased to hear the Minister is planning on commencing the elements of the Act that enable this and I wonder if she could be more specific. Does she expect that it will be done by autumn? If that is the case, perhaps she would be willing to provide the House with further information as to which local authorities have applied for funding.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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People are free to apply to the scheme now. This part of it is applicable to those who are applying. To outline how people can apply, the details are available on my Department's website at gov.ie. There are technical specifications, application forms and guidance notes. For any community group that has an interest in this, it is a matter of contacting local Garda management, their local divisional officer, or the relevant local authority for assistance. There is a requirement for approval through a joint policing committee at the moment. As the JPCs change to community safety partnerships, we anticipate that this will go through the partnerships and require authorisation from the Garda Commissioner. This is an important step. I would say to Deputies, councillors and those who are engaged with their local communities that if there is an area that does not have CCTV and which they feel would benefit from it, or an area with CCTV that needs upgrading, the fund is now there and the issues around GDPR have been addressed. There is no reason this cannot be progressed now where issues have arisen in the past. I encourage people to take this up because it is available to them now.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister. I do not have much to add other than it would be helpful for us to have another conversation about this in the autumn regarding the uptake, to make sure the scheme is operating as effectively and efficiently as possible, and perhaps then to determine whether an ongoing fund could be provided to it year on year as part of the annual Vote for the Department of Justice. It would underscore the commitment for us to make sure that we deliver stronger, safer communities in which people feel confident to be out, whether during the day or at night, at events or just casually walking around a community that happens to have a scheme. That would be beneficial to communities throughout the country.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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It is absolutely the case that certain local authorities in the past, prior to any issues arising around GDPR, were more proactive in applying for the funding and putting up the CCTV. It may be the case now that a similar pattern will emerge but it is important for local communities to know that it is there. It is important for local councillors and representatives in this House to know that it is there and to engage to make sure that local authorities progress this and that they install the CCTV. I would be happy to engage further on this to see what the uptake is, whether people actually applied, who has been successful and how can we encourage more to apply for this fund. As I said, any member of An Garda Síochána I meet, and indeed community members, have always said that this is hugely beneficial when they have it. It is about encouraging them and highlighting the fact that this is now available to local authorities again.