Dara Calleary
Question:144. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice the status of the regulations and funding for Garda and community CCTV; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29964/21]
View answerThursday, 3 June 2021
Questions (144)
Written answers
The Deputy will be aware that community-based CCTV is governed by Section 38(3)(c) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006 (SI 289 of 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.
Following approval by Government, my Department recently published the General Scheme of the Garda Síochána (Digital Recording) Bill. The Bill will provide a comprehensive statutory underpinning for the use of digital recording equipment by An Garda Síochána, which will include CCTV authorised in local communities by the Garda Commissioner. When enacted, this legislation will replace section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
Since 2017, my Department has administered a grant aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area. 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. I can confirm that funding continues to be available for 2021.
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.
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.
If the Deputy is aware of groups wishing to avail of the grant aid scheme, further details are available to download from the Department of Justice 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.