Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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14. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on the community-based CCTV system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8378/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Community safety is a top priority for my Department and everyone has the right to be safe and feel safe in their communities. Community CCTV plays a vital role in achieving this goal.

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.

Grants of over €950,000 have been approved to date for 36 Community CCTV schemes. A further €1 million in funding has been made available towards the development of community-based CCTV schemes in 2024. I hope to announce details of how Local Authorities can apply for this funding in the coming weeks.

This level of funding underlines my commitment to working with communities to ensure everyone feels safe.

The legal framework which provides for the operation of community CCTV requires that any proposed 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.