Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 90: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of groups that have received grants for closed circuit television proposals to date; and the expected number for year ending 2006. [38423/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy may be aware I launched the Community Based CCTV Scheme on 15 June 2005 in response to the demonstrated demand from local communities across Ireland for the provision of CCTV systems. This Scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to qualifying local organisations towards meeting the capital costs associated with the establishment of local community CCTV systems. The Scheme is being administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department.

Under this Scheme, communities could apply for grant aid funding of up to €100,000 from the Department to install a CCTV system in their area. In addition, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs gave a commitment to provide successful applicants from RAPID areas with a further grant to a maximum of €100,000 subject to the total grant aid from both Departments not exceeding €200,000 or 100% of the capital costs of the project, whichever is the lesser.

The Community Based CCTV Scheme offered two Stages or options that were designed to meet the requirements of communities in both of these situations. Stage 1 offered pre-development supports and possible funding of up to €5,000 for organisations/groups who were not yet ready to develop their proposals fully. The Stage 2 process offered a direct Application Process to those organisations who could demonstrate an ability to develop and deliver a CCTV Programme immediately.

I am pleased to say that, following a detailed evaluation process, a total of 37 groups were selected to receive grant aid under the Scheme. 24 groups were selected to receive Stage 1 grants of up to €5,000 each and I understand from Pobal that all of these grants were paid by end April 2006. 13 groups were selected to receive Stage 2 grants. Section 38(3)(c) of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005, requires that each of these groups receive authorisation from the Garda Commissioner, following consultation with the Joint Policing Committee for that administrative area. I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 16 November 2006, one group has received authorisation from the Garda Commissioner and accordingly received the initial payment of their approved grant. A further 5 groups have submitted their applications for authorisation to the Garda authorities and these are currently being processed. I am advised by Pobal that the remaining 7 groups are currently compiling their applications for authorisation and these will be forwarded to the Garda authorities in due course.