Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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245. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on data protection issues in relation to CCTV which are funded by community groups and used by the gardaí; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5832/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, since 2017 my Department has administered a grant-aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area.

The CCTV grant scheme was extended in 2019 to cover not only new CCTV systems, but to also provide funding for the extension or upgrade of existing CCTV systems which are incomplete or obsolete. Applicants may now also seek a once-off grant of up to €5,000 for minor maintenance costs.

The community-based CCTV scheme is currently governed by section 38(3)(c) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006 (SI 289 of 2006), GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

This legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV scheme must:

• be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee,
• have a data protection impact assessment prepared,
• have the prior support of the relevant local authority, which must act as a joint data controller with An Garda Síochána and a joint data controller agreement must be put in place, and
• have the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner.