Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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434. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the actions being taken to resolve the dispute as to whether it is An Garda Síochána or local authorities that control the data from community CCTV schemes in view of the fact that it is preventing a number of community alert groups from drawing down grant aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35586/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that CCTV systems installed for the purposes of crime prevention and as aids to policing in areas to which the general public routinely have access, such as town centres, fall into two distinct but complementary categories, namely Garda CCTV systems and community-based CCTV systems.  Neither type of CCTV system may be established without authorisation by the Garda Commissioner under section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, among other requirements.

Community CCTV is governed by section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006 (SI No 289 of 2006).  This legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV scheme must

- be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee,

- have the prior support of the relevant local authority, which must also act as data controller, and

- have the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner.

This is the legal basis for all community CCTV schemes, regardless of whether or not grant funding is sought from my Department to assist in their establishment.

In accordance with this legal framework, I understand that the large majority of local authorities have previously undertaken to act as data controllers in the context of specific community CCTV schemes, in the course of the previous grant-aid scheme operated by Pobal on behalf of the Department.  Nonetheless, my Department is engaging with the Local Government Management Agency and the County and City Management Association to clarify any queries arising.

Concerning the available grant aid, the Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to supporting investment in CCTV systems. In pursuance of this commitment, a new grant-aid scheme was launched by my Department in 2017 to assist groups in the establishment of community-based CCTV systems in their local areas. It is intended that the scheme will run for 3 years with funding of some €1 million being made available each year.

Eligible community groups 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.

The Department receives a regular flow of enquiries regarding the scheme from a broad spectrum of the public.  There have to date been 27 applications to the scheme. 5 applications have been approved to date. 19 applications are being considered. The remaining 3 applications have been returned to the applicants concerned to enable them to supply the information necessary to qualify for grant aid.

I am keen to ensure that all interested groups, in both rural and urban areas, take advantage of the availability of this grant aid scheme.  If the Deputy is aware of community groups wishing to avail of the scheme, I would point out that full details of the grant aid package are available to download from my Department's website - www.justice.ie - and support and guidance is available to help interested groups to apply for this funding through a dedicated email address, communitycctv@justice.ie.