Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
215. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the average cost of community based CCTV schemes as detailed in applications for grants under the grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31706/18]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to supporting investment in CCTV systems. In pursuance of this commitment, a grant-aid scheme was launched by my Department in 2017 to assist groups in the establishment of community-based CCTV systems in their local areas. It is intended that the scheme will run for 3 years with funding of some €1 million being made available each year.
Under the scheme, eligible community groups can apply for grant-aid of up to 60% of the total capital cost of a proposed CCTV system, up to a maximum grant of €40,000.
A total of 13 applications have been received to date and I understand that a significant number of other applications are currently being finalised for early submission.
The average total cost of the systems in relation to which applications have been received by my Department is over €46,000. However, this average total cost would include systems which have not yet reached the statutory requirements for community CCTV or the eligibility requirements for the scheme. It may interest the Deputy to note that the average total cost of the community CCTV systems which have met the criteria and have been approved for grant-aid to date is approximately €65,000.
I am keen to ensure that all interested groups, in both rural and urban areas, take advantage of the availability of this grant-aid scheme. Full details of the grant aid package are available on my Department's website www.justice.ie. In addition, my officials are available to provide assistance and guidance to any interested party in relation to the scheme, with a dedicated email address available for that purpose - communitycctv@justice.ie.
