Written Answers Nos. 109-131
109. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a full progress report on the draft wind energy guidelines considering the significant number of applications that continue to be submitted despite the use of outdated guidelines; the expected timeframe for publication of finalised deadlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10873/24]
View answerMy Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects of the Guidelines including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters, has been working to advance guidance on the noise aspect of Guidelines, which is highly technical in nature.
The two Departments have been engaging on proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose having regard to, inter alia, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources.
Further to this engagement, DECC appointed noise consultants in May 2023 to inform any amendments to the noise aspect of the Guidelines. This work is substantially complete. My Department, in conjunction with DECC in respect of its environmental noise remit, will make any further changes to the draft Guidelines which are deemed necessary or appropriate in the wake of this work to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose to provide guidance in line with renewable energy and climate targets, whilst having appropriate regard to the impacts of wind energy development, including in relation to noise annoyance.
With regard to the finalisation of the review process, the Climate Action Plan 2024 sets out a timeline of Q4 2024 for publication of the final updated Guidelines and my Department is working towards meeting this commitment. When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, or subject to enactment of the Planning and Development Bill 2023, as a National Planning Statement, as appropriate. In the meantime, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.
110. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the pay negotiations of the retained fire service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10886/24]
View answerMy Department supports fire authorities by establishing policy, setting national standards for fire safety and fire service provision, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects and the procurement of essential frontline fire appliances, ancillary vehicles and equipment.
Fire services are provided in Ireland by local authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. Under this legislation, 31 local authorities provide fire prevention and fire protection services for communities through 27 service delivery structures. Local authority fire services are delivered by approximately 3,300 local authority staff engaged at 217 fire stations nationwide, with 16 of these stations staffed by full-time firefighters, a further 4 are mixed full-time and retained, and 197 are staffed by retained firefighters.
My Department continues to support the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) who are leading engagement with staff representatives on the implementation of recommendations contained within the Retained Review published in December 2022 and the WRC Agreement. I continue to closely monitor the engagement of the LGMA and Fire Services Management to ensure that the implementation of the WRC agreement continues to be a top priority for 2024.
When the WRC agreement was concluded, I committed to advocate for a further increase in the Retainer payment. During the most recent payment talks I engaged directly with Minister Donohoe, supporting his Department's direct talks with SIPTU on this issue. The outcome of the current agreement, which is currently being considered by the staff side, reflects an agreed position with SIPTU, as follows
• "The parties commit to remain in process with a view to concluding the current retainer and associated attendance commitments for Retained Firefighters.
In this context, it is important to reflect on the substantive uplift in income that has already been delivered through the new WRC agreement. This went beyond recommendation two of the Retained Review which only mandated re-balancing of the payment structure that was in place. The current improvements in pay are in addition to a much lower level of commitment to attend incidents with more flexibility for individual firefighters.
I remain fully committed to the completion of a process on the Retainer payment. Official engagement on this issue, led by the LGMA, will commence following ratification of the new public service pay agreement.
111. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in tabular form, per local authority, the value of the contracts for street light maintenance for 2023, 2022 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10887/24]
View answerMy Department does not have a direct involvement in executive functions such as the procurement of contracts for the maintenance of public lighting, carried out by a local authority. Under Section 149 of the Local Government Act 2001, the Chief Executive of a local authority is responsible for the executive functions of the local authority, and for that purpose to manage and control generally, the administration and business of the authority, subject to law. Accordingly, my Department does not hold the specific information requested, but it may be available from individual local authorities.
112. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what additional financial support will be provided to Westmeath County Council in response to the unauthorised financial transactions by a third party, amounting to in excess of €500,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10888/24]
View answerI was informed that Westmeath County Council has recently been subject to a third-party payment fraud in the amount of approximately €515,000.
I understand that as soon as the Council became aware of the matter it took all appropriate measures, including engaging with its insurer and specialist advisers. The issue is under investigation by An Garda Síochána and the Council is cooperating fully with that investigation. In addition, the Council is engaging with the supplier affected. There are currently no plans to provide additional financial support in relation to this matter. When investigations are complete, Westmeath County Council will issue a further statement.
Local authorities have anti-fraud and corruption policies in place. The procedures in Westmeath County Council’s anti fraud and corruption policy have been triggered and will inform the actions that they now undertake to address this matter.
113. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify the number of redundancies, or so called ‘exit-packages’, that have been paid to staff or personnel at any level of seniority in his Department, or in any agency or body under the aegis of his Department, from 2018 to date; the value of each and the total value, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10989/24]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
114. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of exit and or severance and or redundancy packages granted by his Department, and bodies under his aegis, and of bodies he funds in full or in part, of €200,000 and above in the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will provide the amount of same, body, name and year. [11018/24]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
115. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if short term lets, such as Airbnb, will be required to get a specific planning permission if they wish to continue in business in view of the new EU legislation in regard to short term lets; the areas this will apply to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11107/24]
View answerOn 7 December 2022 the Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill (STTL Bill) and the priority drafting of the Bill which provides for the establishment of a new registration system for short-term lettings to be operated by Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment under Housing for All - A New Housing Plan for Ireland. The work on the Bill is being led by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM).
The proposed STTL Bill remains the subject of ongoing engagement with the EU Commission in accordance with the Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) EU Directive 2015/1535.
As part of this engagement, officials from the Department of Tourism and from Fáilte Ireland met with representatives of the Commission in Brussels on 11 December 2023 and then, on 15 December, provided a formal response to the Commission’s communication of 22 March 2023 setting out Ireland’s proposed approach to achieve alignment between the proposed STTL Bill and EU law, in particular the new Short Term Rental Regulation (STR).
On 9 February 2024, the Commission responded positively regarding the principles outlined in Ireland’s formal response and to suggest that further consideration was required to ensure complete alignment. Department of Tourism officials met again with the Commission on 21 February in this regard and to provide further clarifications on the proposed approach. This was a very positive engagement and the officials have provided a further written response to the Commission via the TRIS process.
It is expected that the TRIS process will conclude shortly, with the publication of the STTL Bill in the period thereafter.
Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations, requires planning permission, this includes a material change of use of a property such as for short term letting. Where a person owns a second property which is not their principal private residence and lets it, or intends to let it, for short-term letting purposes, they will require the appropriate planning permission to do so unless the property concerned already has planning permission to be used for tourism or short-term letting purposes, or is otherwise exempted under legislation.
My Department is currently developing Planning Guidelines for the Short-Term Letting sector to supplement the introduction of the STTL Bill. This guidance will provide clarity and certainty on the planning permission requirements in respect of short-term letting properties. It is intended that a draft of the updated guidelines will be published simultaneously with the publication of the STTL Bill by DTCAGSM in order that property owners will have a greater understanding of the planning requirements well in advance of the final enactment of the STTL Bill.
It is proposed that property owners operating within the sector will be allowed a period of six months from the establishment of the STTL register to check the status of their property and/or apply for change of use planning permission. During this period, they can continue to offer their accommodation as tourist accommodation while their planning permission status is being clarified.
116. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to list all staff/management exit packages for staff/management in their Departments that they sanctioned since 2016 (details supplied). [11163/24]
View answerExit packages are not something which have been paid to serving civil servants in my Department from 2016 to date. Any staff member who retired from my Department during this period received pensions and lump sum payments in line with the terms and conditions of the pensions schemes of which they were members.
117. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the National Parks and Wildlife service will provide a county-by-county breakdown of the number of applications in 2023 for permission to burn in designated natura lands obtained through the Activities Requiring Consent system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11173/24]
View answerFollowing consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department, the following relevant ARC applications were received in 2023 seeking permission to burn:
• Galway: 1 application received and consent issued
• Kerry: 1 application received late 2023, consent issued 2024.
118. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a company (details supplied) has made an application for the interim remediation scheme for fire safety defects in eligible apartments and duplexes. [11181/24]
View answerI announced the opening of the Interim Remediation Scheme (Scheme) on 11 December 2023 for the funding of emergency fire safety defect works in apartments and duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. The Scheme is being administered on my behalf by the Housing Agency on a nationwide basis and is open to applications from Apartment Owner Management Companies (OMCs) via the Housing Agency’s website: www.housingagency.ie/interim-remediation-scheme-fire-safety-defects-eligible-apartments-and-duplexes-2023
Therefore, no information regarding individual OMC applications is held by my Department.
119. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review eligibility for the free travel scheme for people who have a severe illness but who are not in receipt of the relevant qualifying payment; if consideration has been given to allowing discretion in certain cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10905/24]
View answerThe Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme.
There are over one million customers with direct eligibility. This increases to 1.75million customers when spouses and companions are included. The estimated expenditure on the Free Travel in 2024 is €104 million.
As part of Budget 2024, I was particularly pleased to announce the expansion of my Department’s Free Travel Pass to support people who are medically certified as not fit to drive.
The measure will expand access to the Free Travel scheme to:
• People who have never been able to drive due to a disability.
• Drivers who have a license and have been deemed medically not fit to drive for a period of one year or longer.
There will be no requirement that a person must be in receipt of a Social Welfare payment in order to qualify for a free travel pass on these medical grounds, provided the other qualifying criteria are met. The implementation date for the measure is July 2024.
Any further expansion of the Free Travel scheme in excess of the measures announced in Budget 2024 would require additional funding for the free travel scheme and would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
It is important to note that my Department can also provide support by way of an Additional Needs Payment toward the cost of essential travel. This support is for people who cannot meet this cost from their own resources and is available through our Community Welfare Officers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
120. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection are insurance contributions carried over to persons who are foster parents and not in employment outside the home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10916/24]
View answerMatters related to foster caring are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth,
More widely, this Government acknowledges the important role that carers play and is fully committed to supporting them in that role. Accordingly, the current State pension (contributory) system provides for a range of measures including PRSI credits, homemaking disregards and homecaring periods to recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculations of a payment rate.
Foster carers are entitled to the benefits of the homemaker's scheme or homecaring periods on the same basis as other carers, and will qualify if the carer is in receipt of child benefit. If the foster carer is not in receipt of child benefit, they can still qualify for the homemaker's scheme or homecaring periods provided the caring periods are confirmed by Tusla.
Despite these measures, some long-term carers of incapacitated dependents may still face barriers in accessing the State pension (contributory). They may, for example, have difficulty establishing the minimum number of 10 years paid contributions.
In this context, I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State pension system in September 2022 in response to the Pensions Commission's recommendations.
An important reform agreed by Government was enhanced State pension provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years. Consequently, from January this year, long-term carers can be attributed the equivalent of a paid contribution to cover gaps in their contribution record. Foster carers who have cared for an incapacitated dependent or dependents for over 20 years will also benefit from this important change.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
121. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons who are foster parents are eligible for contributions to be included under the homemaker’s scheme for pension purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10917/24]
View answerThis Government acknowledges the important role that carers, including Foster carers, play and is fully committed to supporting them in that role. Accordingly, the current State Pension (Contributory) system provides measures including PRSI credits, Homemaking Disregards and HomeCaring Periods to recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate subject to the qualifying conditions for State Pension (Contributory). Foster carers are entitled to the benefits of the Homemaker’s Scheme or HomeCaring Periods and will qualify if the carer is in receipt of Child Benefit. If the foster carer is not in receipt of Child Benefit, they can still qualify for Homemaker’s Scheme or HomeCaring Periods provided the caring periods are confirmed by Tusla.
Despite these measures, some long-term carers of incapacitated dependents may still face barriers in accessing the State Pension (Contributory). They may for example have difficulty establishing the minimum number of 10 years' paid contributions.
I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system in September 2022 in response to the Pensions Commission’s recommendations.
An important reform agreed by Government is enhanced State Pension provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years. It will do this by attributing the equivalent of a paid contribution to long-term carers to cover gaps in their contribution record for State Pension (Contributory) purposes. Foster Carers who have cared for an incapacitated dependent or dependents for over 20 years will also benefit from this important change.
I was very pleased that the legislation to give effect to these measures was enacted in December and the scheme came into operation on 1st January 2024.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
122. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a statement of widow’s pension paid in 2022 to a person (details supplied) can issue to the client as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10927/24]
View answerA statement of widow's contributory pension paid in 2022 has issued to the person concerned.
Payment statements can also be requested online via www.mywelfare.ie which is the quickest way to get a payment statement.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
123. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection to clarify the number of redundancies, or so called ‘exit-packages’, that have been paid to staff or personnel at any level of seniority in her Department, or in any agency or body under the aegis of h Department, from 2018 to date; the value of each and the total value, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10993/24]
View answerSince 2018, my Department has not sanctioned or paid any “exit packages” separate from, or in addition to statutory severances. My Department paid out severance payments to Ministerial Personal Staff at the dissolution of the Dáil under the terms laid out by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and has paid redundancies in accordance with statutory entitlements under the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967-2014.
I trust this information is of use to the Deputy.
124. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of exit and or severance and or redundancy packages granted by her Department, and bodies under her aegis, and of bodies he funds in full or in part, of €200,000 and above in the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if she will provide the amount of same, body, name and year. [11022/24]
View answerNeither my Department or bodies under my aegis, have granted or paid any severance or redundancy packages of €200,000 or above, for the years in question. My Department paid out severance to Ministerial Personal Staff at the dissolution of the Dáil under the terms laid out by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and paid redundancies in accordance with statutory entitlements under the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967-2014 - none of these were in excess of the €200,000.
125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of his appeal against the decision to reduce a person's payment (details supplied) with particular reference to their high outgoings on medical costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11027/24]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 5 March 2024. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
126. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if any pensioners lost out between the time of pension increases in January 2024 and the raising of the fuel allowance means threshold some eight weeks later; and if all pensioners were compensated for the loss incurred to them if there was a discrepancy during that time. [11037/24]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a means-tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs. The payment is a contribution towards heating costs; it is not intended to meet these costs in full. The payment is made over the winter season - from September to April - at the weekly rate of €33 or, if preferred, by way of two instalments - one in September and one in January. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household. Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.
With effect from 5 January 2024, the Fuel Allowance means thresholds were increased in line with the social welfare payment increases announced in Budget 2024.
The Department IT systems were updated with the increased means thresholds on 1 December 2023 to ensure Fuel Allowance applicants would not lose out on their entitlement due to the budget increases.
The Department is not aware of any pensioner who has lost out on their entitlement to Fuel Allowance, as the means thresholds were updated prior to the pension increases in January 2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
127. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for disability allowance (details supplied) will be assessed on current means only; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11054/24]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66.? This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
My Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 26 September 2022. Based on the evidence supplied in support of this application, it was disallowed on the grounds that they failed to provide sufficient information enabling the Deciding Officer (DO) to determine if her means exceed the statutory maximum allowed under the DA Scheme. The person in question failed to provide information requested by the Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) on 26 October 2022 and 9 November 2022. In addition, no decision has been made on their habitual residence as the above information remained outstanding. The person was notified of this decision in writing on 4 January 2023 and given the right to request a review/appeal.
I can confirm that, on 11 May 2023, the person concerned submitted a request for a review of the decision of 4 January 2023 and an appeal to Independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
I can confirm that, following a review, the decision of 4 January 2023 was upheld as, in addition to the dates above, they again failed to provide information requested by the SWI on12 June 2023. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 10 August 2023.
In addition, the original decision was upheld and the appeal was disallowed by the SWAO. The person concerned was notified directly by the SWAO regarding their appeal on 3 October 2023.
An Appeals Officer’s decision is final and conclusive in absence of any fresh facts or evidence. It is open to the person in question to reapply for DA. An application form was posted to the person concerned on 4 March 2024.
I can confirm that, if they submit a new application, this will be considered from the date of receipt of an application. They will need to provide all the requested information regarding their means for a decision to be made on their DA entitlement.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
128. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for invalidity pension by a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11103/24]
View answerInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
My Department received an application for IP for the person concerned on 23 January 2024. The medical reports were referred to my Department's Medical Review & Assessment team on 26 February 2024 for their medical opinion on her suitability for IP. As soon as the medical opinion is given, a Deciding Officer will be in a position to make a decision on the person's application and will notify her directly of this decision.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
129. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection to list all staff/management exit packages for staff/management in their Departments that they sanctioned since 2016 (details supplied). [11167/24]
View answerMy Department has paid out severance to Ministerial Personal Staff at the dissolution of the Dáil under the terms laid out by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and has paid redundancies in accordance with statutory entitlements under the Redundancy payments Acts 1967-2014. My Department has not sanctioned or paid any “exit packages” in addition to severance and redundancies since 2016.
130. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of a domiciliary care allowance application (details supplied), and when a decision be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11191/24]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 19 September 2023. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 5 October 2023.
The case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 17 October 2023, who will in due course make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing. I have been advised that additional medical evidence was submitted to this office in February 2024 and that this is being considered by the Appeals Officer.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
131. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice when she expects that the provisions of the Garda Síochána Recording Devices Act 2023 will be fully implemented. [10877/24]
View answer132. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice when An Garda Síochána will become responsible for the granting of authorisation to install and operate CCTV. [10878/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 132 together.
Community safety is a top priority for my Department and everyone has the right to be safe and feel safe in their communities. Community CCTV plays a vital role in achieving this goal.
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.
Grants of over €950,000 have been approved to date for 36 Community CCTV schemes. A further €1 million in funding has been made available towards the development of community-based CCTV schemes in 2024. Applications for funding are now open and can be made directly by the relevant Local Authorities.
This level of funding underlines my commitment to working with communities to ensure everyone feels safe.
The legal framework which provides for the operation of community CCTV requires that any proposed 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 Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023, which was signed into law in December last year, will reform CCTV schemes. Under the Act, community groups will have a greater say in keeping their community safe as they will be able to request schemes in their area.
In tandem with this, the Act also provides for Garda use of Body Worn Cameras (BWC), CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR). The Act is to be commenced in stages. As part of Budget 2024's unprecedented allocation to the Garda Vote, €155 million has been allocated for digital capital investment and IT in the Garda organisation.
A project to run a Proof of Concept of BWCs is currently underway within An Garda Síochána, with cameras to begin rolling out to a small number of test locations in Dublin in Q2. This Proof of Concept will provide learnings for the next stage of the project, which is the national procurement and roll-out of body worn cameras.
The Parts of the Recording Devices Act that are necessary for the deployment of BWCs will be commenced first, prior to their introduction. Other parts of the Act will be commenced once the codes of practice for those parts are fully drafted in line with part 8 of the Act.
It is envisaged that the Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs), which will be established under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 to replace Joint Policing Committees, will be the appropriate body to request community CCTV schemes in the future. Local residents, Local Authority staff, Councillors and members of An Garda Síochána will all be represented on the Partnerships, and will be best-placed to know how CCTV can be appropriately utilised in their area.
