Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2018
440. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the square footage that will be captured by the CCTV cameras that have been approved in the 20 approved applications under the community CCTV grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45761/18]
View answer441. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedures in place to allow An Garda Síochána access footage captured on CCTV operated pursuant to the community-based CCTV schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45762/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 441 together.
CCTV systems installed for the purposes of crime prevention and as aids to policing in areas to which the general public routinely have access, such as town centres, fall into two distinct but complementary categories, namely Garda CCTV systems and community-based CCTV systems. Both these categories have as their legal basis section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, which deals with CCTV for the purpose of securing public order and safety in public places.
Community CCTV is governed by section 38(3)(c) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006. It may be noted that under the 2005 Act as amended, the power to establish the criteria for community CCTV schemes is a matter for the Policing Authority, by order made with the approval of the Government.
This legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV scheme must:
- be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee,
- have the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner, and
- have the prior support of the relevant local authority, which must also act as data controller.
This is the legal basis for all community CCTV schemes, regardless of how they are funded.
As is clear from this legislative basis, the responsibility for approval of any proposed Community CCTV scheme does not rest with me as Minister. Rather, the relevant approvals are by the local Joint Policing Committee, relevant Local Authority and the Garda Commissioner. The matters raised, such as square footage of cameras proposed to be used in establishment of a new CCTV system and/or the procedures to be adopted by all parties in applying and satisfying the legislative framework, are for those authorities.
The grant aid scheme administered by my Department is intended to assist groups in funding the establishment of community based CCTV systems in their local areas, with grant-aid of up to 60% of the total capital cost of a proposed CCTV system available, up to a maximum total of €40,000. It will be appreciated that the grant-aid scheme does not and cannot alter the statutory requirements for approval of CCTV systems. Full details of the grant aid package are available to download from my Department's website www.justice.ie and support and guidance is available to help interested groups to apply for this funding through a dedicated email address communitycctv@justice.ie
