Written answers
Thursday, 17 October 2024
Department of Justice and Equality
Closed-Circuit Television Systems
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
268. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide a breakdown of the funding provided to community CCTV schemes in each year from 2016 to 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42256/24]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
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 for 36 Community CCTV schemes have been approved to date and a list of these CCTV projects is attached for the Deputy's information.
A further €1 million in funding has been made available towards the development of community-based CCTV schemes in 2024. Applications for funding are now open and can be made directly by the relevant Local Authorities.
This level of funding underlines my commitment to working with communities to ensure everyone feels safe.
The current legal framework providing for community CCTV schemes, which has been in place since 2006, 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.
It is envisaged that the Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs), which are currently being established under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 to replace Joint Policing Committees, will be the appropriate body to request community CCTV schemes in the future. Local residents, Local Authority staff, Councillors and members of An Garda Síochána will all be represented on the Partnerships, and will be best-placed to know how CCTV can be appropriately utilised in their area.
No comments