Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach. The Minister of State is very welcome and I thank her for taking time out of her busy schedule to be here.

Everyone agrees about the benefits of CCTV systems. They are located in many of our towns and cities, and are invaluable pieces of equipment when it comes to the investigation of crime or preventing crime. A UK study in 2013 estimated that 20% of crimes were prevented by having a CCTV system in place. There is no doubt they are hugely beneficial pieces of equipment. They allow people to go about their daily lives and if people want to go for a walk at night-time, they can do so with a sense of security. They are invaluable when it comes to investigating assaults and other crimes, which is a proven fact.

The statistics from the Department show that, for each of the three years from 2017 to 2020, €1 million was allocated towards CCTV systems. However, I am led to believe that only €750,000 has actually been approved, which clearly shows there is a problem with the system. The current application process is much too cumbersome and much too drawn out, and it is putting off many communities from applying in the first place.

I was interested to look back at some of my notes.Three years ago I raised this issue of CCTV systems in respect of Monaghan town and countrywide as well as the issue of delays. That was three years ago. The then Minister for Justice, Deputy Flanagan, was in the seat now occupied by the Minister of State. I was looking for an update in respect of the system generally throughout the country and in Monaghan town. Here we are three years later. I am back in the Chamber this morning still looking for an update on the CCTV system for Monaghan town.

To sum up, I asked the then Minister, Deputy Flanagan, to look at the application process for community CCTV systems to see how those responsible could take away some of the cumbersome aspects to the application process. I wonder whether there has been an update in respect of that. Does the Minister of State have an update for me on Monaghan town and exactly where that scheme is this morning?

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister for Justice I wish to thank the Senator for raising this matter. The Senator will be aware that the community-based CCTV is currently governed by section 38(3)(c) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006, which is SI 289 of 2006. This legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV scheme must, first, be approved by the local joint policing committee, second, have the prior support of the relevant local authority, which must also act as data controller, and, third, have the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner. This is the legal basis for all community CCTV schemes regardless of how they are funded. These key legal requirements have not changed since 2006.

It is important to note that decisions in respect of the introduction or extension of Garda CCTV systems are matters for the Garda Commissioner and not for the Minister for Justice. Since 2017 the Department of Justice has administered a grant aid scheme to support groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their areas. Eligible groups, including community groups and local authorities nationwide, can apply for grant aid of up to 60% of the total capital cost of a proposed CCTV system up to a maximum total of €40,000. On behalf of the Minister I can confirm that funding continues to be available for 2021.

The Senator may also be aware that the grant aid scheme was recently extended to cover not only new CCTV systems but to allow funding applications for extension or upgrade of existing community CCTV systems that are incomplete or obsolete. Applicants can now seek a once-off grant of up to €5,000 for minor maintenance costs. A total of 34 applications have been approved under the community CCTV scheme to date, with the value of grants awarded totalling €888,689.

It is important to emphasise that this funding can only be considered for CCTV systems that meet the legal requirements I have already outlined. Senator Gallagher has asked about Monaghan town. I understand the community CCTV scheme for Monaghan was approved by the Garda Commissioner. I can confirm the Monaghan town application for a grant of €45,000 for the community CCTV scheme has been approved by the Department of Justice and the payment of the first instalment of €25,000 was made to Monaghan County Council in July last year. I am also aware that Monaghan County Council has applied to An Garda Síochána for an amendment to the scheme that was initially proposed. The amendment was to increase the number of CCTV cameras from eight to 30. The Minister for Justice is keen to be of assistance and has asked the Department of Justice officials to obtain an update from An Garda Síochána in respect of this application. The Minister will write to the Senator on receipt of an update.

The role of the data controller for CCTV schemes is relevant as well. The Senator will be aware that the Department of Justice has published the general scheme of the Garda Síochána (digital recording) Bill at the end of last month. The general scheme puts forward several amendments to the operation of CCTV schemes to provide for robust oversight in response to concerns raised by the Data Protection Commissioner. I understand the Minister's priority now is to ensure community groups can continue to be supported in their valued contributions to their local CCTV schemes while ensuring sufficient proportionate oversight of data protection statutory considerations. I hope that update will be of assistance to the Senator on this matter.

Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for that comprehensive response, which I welcome. It is still worth noting that up to this point it has been a very cumbersome process and the figures the Minister of State has given go some way towards substantiating that point. I would like to see a system that is much more expeditious in how conclusions are reached when applications go in. As the Minister of State said, and rightly so, they are hugely beneficial to the communities in which they are installed and they are an added tool, as I said in my contribution, in respect of not alone the investigation of crimes committed but indeed the prevention of crime itself. I thank the Minister of State for her response.

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will bring the matters the Senator has raised, particularly his comments on a more expeditious application process, to the attention of the Minister for Justice. I note what he said about the 70% of crimes being prevented, or certainly their prevention being assisted, by the use of CCTV. I also note what he said about the fact that €1 million was allocated and that only €750,000 has been approved. I cannot confirm here whether or not all those comments are correct but I will bring that information back to the Minister for Justice. The fact that €45,000 has been given to Monaghan town and approved by the Department of Justice and the fact that €25,000 was paid to Monaghan County Council last July should be of assistance to the Senator in bringing this matter forward.