Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 December 2020

Thursday, 3 December 2020

Questions (311)

Dara Calleary

Question:

311. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice the names of communities, groups and local authorities that have been awarded funding under the CCTV community grant scheme; the amount awarded to each successful applicant in each year since 2016; her plans to examine the terms and conditions of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40927/20]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, community-based CCTV is governed by section 38(3)(c) of the 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. 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.

I can inform the Deputy that once the new legislation proposed on Digital Recordings has been enacted, a review of the terms and conditions of the scheme will be carried out in the first half of 2021, to bring it into line with this new legislation.

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, 29 applications have been approved under the scheme, involving approved grants awarded totalling more than €752,000. 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. The table below details the Local Authorities that have been approved funding under the scheme.

As the Deputy may be aware, last year the grant aid scheme was extended 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.

Local Authority	Name of Applicant	Nr.of Camera's	Grant approval	Maintenance Grant
Leitrim County Council	Carrick on Shannon	11	€40,000.00
Wexford County Council	Wexford County Council	12	€25,675.00
Wicklow County Council	Arklow Town, Wicklow	11	€40,000.00
Wexford County Council	Courttown/Riverchapel	8	€28,636.05
Wexford County Council	Gorey Town Park	5	€23,603.46
Limerick City and County Council	Limerick -Newcastlewest	12	€31,071.33
Sligo County Council	Cranmore Regeneration Sligo	3	€8,835.00
Limerick City and County Council	Limerick - Castleconnell	6	€27,310.22
Limerick City and County Council	Limerick - Askeaton	4	€28,115.54
Limerick City and County Council	Limerick - Abbeyfeale	6	€22,800.94
Limerick City and County Council	Limerick - Kilmallock	7	€30,370.01
Limerick City and County Council	Limerick - Rathkeale	7	€34,172.66
Limerick City and County Council	Limerick - Adare	5	€22,406.01
Limerick City and County Council	Limerick - Caherconlish	4	€16,481.38
Limerick City and County Council	Limerick - Croom	5	€19,277.12
Limerick City and County Council	Limerick - Murroe	4	€21,945.33
Limerick City and County Council	Limerick - Pallasgreen	3	€18,691.09
Limerick City and County Council	Limerick - Cappamore	2	€14,218.00
Limerick City and County Council	Limerick - Patrickswell	5	€30,363.85
Limerick City and County Council	Limerick - Foynes	3	€17,349.85
Monaghan County Council	Monaghan Town	8	€40,000.00	€5,000.00
Kilkenny Co. Council	Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny	10	€21,000.00	€5,000.00
Carlow County Council	St Mullins	16	€25,083.50
Laois CoCo	Mountmellick Neighbourhood watch	48	$35,938.77	€5,000.00
Laois CoCo	Woodenbridge	11	€8,040.00	€5,000.00
Laois CoCo	Donaghmore Community Alert	18	€17,409.03	€5,000.00
Borris in Ossory Community Alert	Borris in Ossory Community Alert Group		€5,107.62	€5,000.00
Louth County Council	Moneymore	6	€29,516.70	€5,000.00
Louth County Council	Rathmullen	6	€29,516.70	€5,000.00
Total			€712,935.16	€40,000.00

* It should be noted that the funding provided by the Department to Borris in Ossory Community Alert Group was merely to cover costs associated with relocating a base station. The original CCTV system had been installed in 2016 and this was funded by Pobal. The Department of Justice only started funding this scheme in 2017 and we do not have access to the Pobal files which would detail the camera numbers/locations.

If the Deputy is aware of 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, [e-mail].