Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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384. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of CCTV schemes that have been approved for funding since the scheme commenced; the way in which many of these schemes have been approved in 2020; if all local authorities are now signed up to the scheme; the areas that have been successful in their applications, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29701/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, community-based CCTV is governed by section 38(3)(c) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 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 how they are funded and these key legal requirements have not changed since 2006. The option to establish a Community CCTV scheme is available to groups that meet these legal requirements, anywhere in the country.

Since 2017, my Department has administered a grant aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area. To date, 29 applications have been approved under the scheme, involving approved grants awarded totalling more than €752,000. 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. The table details the Local Authorities that have been approved funding under the scheme.

As the Deputy may be aware, last year the grant aid scheme was extended to cover not only new CCTV systems but also to allow funding applications for extension or upgrade of existing Community CCTV systems which are incomplete or obsolete. Applicants can now also seek a once-off grant of up to €5,000 for minor maintenance costs.

However in all cases, grant funding can be considered only for CCTV systems which meet the legal requirements, in other words CCTV systems which have been approved by the relevant Joint Policing Committee, the relevant Local Authority (also acting as Data Controller) and which have received the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner.

If the Deputy is aware of groups wishing to avail of the grant aid scheme, further details are available to download from my Department's website - and support and guidance is available to help interested groups through a dedicated email address fundsadmin-comm-based-cctv@justice.ie

* Funding provided to Borris in Ossory Community Alert Group was to cover costs associated with relocating a base station. The original CCTV system had been installed in 2016 and this was funded by Pobal. The Department of Justice only started funding this scheme in 2017. My Department does not have access to the Pobal files which would detail the camera numbers/locations.