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Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020

Tuesday, 21 July 2020

Questions (568, 570, 571)

Michael Lowry

Question:

568. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an application with the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner for additional CCTV cameras in Clonmel, County Tipperary, in particular the Heywood Road area; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the prolonged delays in resolving issues regarding the use of CCTV is causing unnecessary concern and anxiety for residents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16531/20]

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Michael Lowry

Question:

570. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an application for a CCTV scheme in Fethard, County Tipperary which is with the Garda Commissioner waiting authorisation; if the issue with housing such CCTV systems in the local Garda station can be resolved; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the prolonged delays in resolving issues in relation to CCTV is causing unnecessary concern and anxiety for residents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16535/20]

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Michael Lowry

Question:

571. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an application for a CCTV scheme in Littleton, County Tipperary which is with the Garda Commissioner waiting authorisation; if the issue with housing such CCTV systems in the local Garda station can be resolved; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the prolonged delays in resolving issues in relation to CCTV is causing unnecessary concern and anxiety for residents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16536/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 568, 570 and 571 together.

Community-based CCTV is governed by section 38(3)(c) of Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006. This legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV scheme must:

- be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee,

- have the prior support of the relevant local authority, which must also act as data controller, and

- have the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner.

This is the legal basis for all community CCTV schemes, regardless of how they are funded and these key legal requirements have not changed since 2006. The option to establish a Community CCTV scheme is available to groups that meet these legal requirements, anywhere in the country.

Since 2017, my Department has administered a grant aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area. To date, 28 applications have been approved under the scheme, involving approved grants totalling more than €666,000. Eligible groups, including community groups and local authorities nationwide, can apply for grant aid of up to 60% of the total capital cost of a proposed CCTV system, up to a maximum total of €40,000.

As the Deputy may be aware, last year my predecessor as Minister expanded the grant aid scheme to cover not only new CCTV systems but also to allow funding applications for extension or upgrade of existing Community CCTV systems which are incomplete or obsolete. Applicants can now also seek a once-off grant of up to €5,000 for minor maintenance costs.

However in all cases, grant funding can be considered only for CCTV systems which meet the legal requirements, in other words CCTV systems which have been approved by the relevant Joint Policing Committee, the relevant Local Authority (also acting as Data Controller) and which have received the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner.

In relation to the applications from both Littleton and Fethard referred to by the Deputy, I am informed that the application for a Community Based Scheme under Section 38(3)(c) of the Garda Siochána Act, 2005, has not met the standard to be heard at the CCTV Advisory Committee (which makes recommendations to the Garda Commissioner) due to issues in respect of the location of the server. It had been proposed that the server would be based in the local Garda Station and that the local Superintendent would act as Data Controller. This is at variance with S.I. 289/06 which stipulates that the Local Authority will act as Data Controller. This has been communicated back to the applicant group and I understand that a reply is awaited on any alternative proposal for siting of the server.

In relation to the application from Clonmel, I am further informed that there was some confusion regarding the application for the Clonmel scheme as the application was forwarded as a Section 38(3)(c) scheme – i.e., a Community Based CCTV Scheme – but the papers submitted propose an extension to an existing scheme which is in fact a Section 38(3)(a) scheme - a Garda scheme as opposed to a Community scheme. I understand that An Garda Siochána are now processing this application as a Garda Scheme extension.

If the Deputy is aware of other groups wishing to avail of the grant aid scheme, further details are available to download from my Department's website - www.justice.ie and support and guidance is available to help interested groups through a dedicated email address fundsadmin-comm-based-cctv@justice.ie

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