Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
411. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice if she will give consideration to the expansion of her Department’s Community-based CCTV grant aid scheme in order that small- and medium-sized businesses can avail of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46647/23]
View answer412. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice if she will ring fence dedicated funding to support an alarm grant scheme to be made available for small- and medium-sized businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46648/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 412 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, since 2017 my Department has administered a grant-aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area.
The CCTV grant scheme was extended in 2019 to cover not only new CCTV systems, but to also provide funding for the extension or upgrade of existing CCTV systems which are incomplete or obsolete. Applicants may now also seek a once-off grant of up to €5,000 for minor maintenance costs.
The Community-based CCTV scheme is currently governed by section 38(3)(c) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006 (SI 289 of 2006), GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
This legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV scheme must:
• be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee,
• have a data protection impact assessment prepared,
• have the prior support of the relevant local authority, which must act as a joint data controller with An Garda Síochána and a joint data controller agreement must be put in place, and
• have the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner.
The current scheme is only for Community Based schemes and specifically prohibits the schemes monitoring commercial premises. The Department has no plans to fund private businesses for alarms or their own CCTV systems.
The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 will reform CCTV schemes. Under the Bill, community groups will be able to request schemes in their area.
It is envisaged the Local Community Safety Partnerships being established under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill, once rolled out nationwide, will be the appropriate body to make the request, given that local residents, Local Authority staff, Councillors and members of An Garda Síochána will all be represented on the Partnerships.
The Local Authorities will take the lead and make the applications going forward and have full responsibility for the implementation of the scheme, and also managing the data protection aspects arising.
