Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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1132. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the up-to-date position with the proposed community based CCTV systems nationwide; if the GDPR issues have been addressed; if she will be announcing a new scheme; if not, if the current scheme will be readvertised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30993/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The rollout of community CCTV schemes across the country has benefitted many local communities, helping people to feel safer in their neighbourhoods. It is a priority for me as Minister to ensure that community groups continue to be supported in their local CCTV schemes whilst ensuring sufficient, proportionate oversight of data protection statutory considerations.

The Deputy will be aware that community-based CCTV is governed by Section 38(3)(c) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006 (SI 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 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.

Following approval by Government, my Department recently published the General Scheme of the Garda Síochána (Digital Recording) Bill. The Bill will enable the Department to address the important data controller concerns raised by the Data Protection Commissioner, among other matters, providing for a requirement to review authorisations after a set time period and a requirement for joint data control agreements to be in place. The Bill will also provide a comprehensive statutory underpinning for the use of digital recording equipment by An Garda Síochána, which will include CCTV authorised in local communities by the Garda Commissioner. When enacted, this legislation will replace section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

Since 2017, my Department has administered a grant aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area. 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. I can confirm that funding continues to be available for 2021.

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.

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 the Department of Justice 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.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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1133. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if grant funding is available for a community wishing to install CCTV community-based schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30994/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, 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 (SI 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 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. Decisions in relation to the introduction or extension of Garda CCTV systems are operational matters for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters.

The Deputy may be interested to note that following approval by Government, my Department recently published the General Scheme of the Garda Síochána (Digital Recording) Bill. The Bill will provide a comprehensive statutory underpinning for the use of digital recording equipment by An Garda Síochána, which will include CCTV authorised in local communities by the Garda Commissioner. When enacted, this legislation will replace section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

Since 2017 the Department of Justice has administered a grant aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area. 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. I can confirm that funding continues to be available for 2021.

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.

For any groups wishing to avail of the grant aid scheme, further details are available to download from the Department of Justice 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.