Written answers

Thursday, 3 December 2020

Department of Justice and Equality

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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311. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the names of communities, groups and local authorities that have been awarded funding under the CCTV community grant scheme; the amount awarded to each successful applicant in each year since 2016; her plans to examine the terms and conditions of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40927/20]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will 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. 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.

I can inform the Deputy that once the new legislation proposed on Digital Recordings has been enacted, a review of the terms and conditions of the scheme will be carried out in the first half of 2021, to bring it into line with this new legislation.

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 below 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.

Local Authority Name of Applicant Nr.of Camera's Grant approval Maintenance Grant
Leitrim County Council Carrick on Shannon 11 €40,000.00
Wexford County Council Wexford County Council 12 €25,675.00
Wicklow County Council Arklow Town, Wicklow 11 €40,000.00
Wexford County Council Courttown/Riverchapel 8 €28,636.05
Wexford County Council Gorey Town Park 5 €23,603.46
Limerick City and County Council Limerick -Newcastlewest 12 €31,071.33
Sligo County Council Cranmore Regeneration Sligo 3 €8,835.00
Limerick City and County Council Limerick - Castleconnell 6 €27,310.22
Limerick City and County Council Limerick - Askeaton 4 €28,115.54
Limerick City and County Council Limerick - Abbeyfeale 6 €22,800.94
Limerick City and County Council Limerick - Kilmallock 7 €30,370.01
Limerick City and County Council Limerick - Rathkeale 7 €34,172.66
Limerick City and County Council Limerick - Adare 5 €22,406.01
Limerick City and County Council Limerick - Caherconlish 4 €16,481.38
Limerick City and County Council Limerick - Croom 5 €19,277.12
Limerick City and County Council Limerick - Murroe 4 €21,945.33
Limerick City and County Council Limerick - Pallasgreen 3 €18,691.09
Limerick City and County Council Limerick - Cappamore 2 €14,218.00
Limerick City and County Council Limerick - Patrickswell 5 €30,363.85
Limerick City and County Council Limerick - Foynes 3 €17,349.85
Monaghan County Council Monaghan Town 8 €40,000.00 €5,000.00
Kilkenny Co. Council Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny 10 €21,000.00 €5,000.00
Carlow County Council St Mullins 16 €25,083.50
Laois CoCo Mountmellick Neighbourhood watch 48 $35,938.77 €5,000.00
Laois CoCo Woodenbridge 11 €8,040.00 €5,000.00
Laois CoCo Donaghmore Community Alert 18 €17,409.03 €5,000.00
Borris in Ossory Community Alert Borris in Ossory Community Alert Group €5,107.62 €5,000.00
Louth County Council Moneymore 6 €29,516.70 €5,000.00
Louth County Council Rathmullen 6 €29,516.70 €5,000.00
Total €712,935.16 €40,000.00

* It should be noted that the funding provided by the Department to Borris in Ossory Community Alert Group was merely 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 and we do not have access to the Pobal files which would detail the camera numbers/locations.

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 - www.justice.ie - and support and guidance is available to help interested groups through a dedicated email address, fundsadmin-comm-based-cctv@justice.ie.

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