Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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145. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the proposals, if any, he has to extend CCTV coverage to towns in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24852/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Community safety is a top priority for my Department and everyone has the right to be safe and to feel safe in their communities. Community CCTV plays an important role in achieving this goal.

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.

A further €1 million in funding was 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, requires that any proposed scheme must:

• be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee, soon to be replaced by Local Community Safety Partnerships.
• 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.