Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Ryan for raising this important matter. I am fully aware of her interest in CCTV cameras in Limerick. The matter is extremely important, as she stated.

One of the things I, as Minister for justice, am seeking to do is ensure that people feel safe in their communities, whether that is in Limerick or in any other part of the country. It is unquestionably the case that where people have CCTV cameras, they feel a greater sense of security. It is unquestionably the case that the presence of cameras deters criminal activity and antisocial behaviour. I am well aware of the important role CCTV cameras play in trying to combat crime and antisocial behaviour. As the Senator is aware, there are a variety of CCTV cameras that operate throughout our communities, and not just in Limerick.An Garda Síochána has certain cameras that it puts in place and that it requires. They are of great assistance to it in combating crime. The particular type of CCTV camera the Senator referenced is one that was established under the regeneration programme in Limerick around ten years ago, which was part of a much broader initiative to improve the quality of life of local communities in Limerick. I note what the Senator said about the communities in Moyross and other areas, about how they are very dependent upon these CCTV cameras.

As the Senator will be aware, the day-to-day funding of those CCTV schemes has, for many years, come from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and is part of the regeneration projects in Limerick, with a significant contribution also being made, I have to say, by Limerick City and County Council. I understand the CCTV system concerned consists of approximately 240 cameras, which is a very significant number of cameras, and that operating costs for 2024 were over €800,000. As such, the infrastructure in place in Limerick is well outside the scope of the grants administered by my Department. The type of CCTV funding that is provided by the Department of justice is for community-based CCTV cameras and schemes that have got grants of up to €40,000 for capital expenditure and up to €5,000 for maintenance under the scheme.

I am fully aware that CCTV is important. It is very much going to be centrally part of the local community safety partnerships that have been established throughout the country. It is also the case that under the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023, the Garda Commissioner will have a significant role to play in the approval of CCTV schemes into the future.

I am aware that many public representatives in Limerick are concerned about the issue the Senator is highlighting here. For instance, I had a meeting earlier on today with the Mayor of Limerick, Mr. John Moran. I thank him for coming up. There was a meeting between Mayor Moran, the Minister, Deputy Browne, and me. I hope it will be possible for the CCTV scheme to continue to operate as it has done over the past decade. As I said, we had a very good meeting with Mayor Moran. He is fully aware and, I think, committed to ensuring that it stays there. I also agree with him that An Garda Síochána wants these cameras to remain, as they are of significant use to it.

All I will say to the Senator at this stage is I hope a solution will be found to ensure the ongoing funding. I cannot give her a commitment in respect of that yet but I know Mayor Moran is very much engaged in that issue. We had a meeting today and I would like to see a resolution agreed in respect of the matter.