Niamh Smyth
Ceist:220. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an application under a scheme (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42985/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 10 October 2017
Ceisteanna (220)
Freagraí scríofa
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to supporting investment in CCTV systems and, in this context, a new community-based CCTV grant-aid Scheme was launched by my Department in April 2017 to assist community groups in the establishment of CCTV systems in their local areas.
Under the Scheme, eligible community groups can apply for grant-aid of up to 60% of the total capital cost of a proposed CCTV system, up to a maximum grant of €40,000. Upon approval of the grant, the applicant will receive an up-front payment of 50% of the grant with the balance to be paid when the system is fully operational. Some €1 million was secured in Budget 2017 for the purposes of the Scheme, and it is envisaged that a similar amount will be made available in 2018 and 2019.
Full details of the Scheme, including guidelines, application forms, code of practice and other relevant documentation are available to download from my Department's website: www.justice.ie.
I would draw attention, in particular, to some of the key requirements of the Scheme which require that the proposal 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 – this is a long-standing statutory requirement, set out in the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 289 of 2006), for the establishment of community CCTV systems generally; and
- have the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner in accordance with Section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
The Scheme is modelled closely on the previous grant-aid Scheme operated by Pobal on behalf of my Department between 2005 and 2013, under which some 45 Community-based CCTV systems were established operating in a mix of urban and rural environments.
With regard to the application referred to by the Deputy, I understand that a number of the mandatory requirements for funding were not satisfied and, accordingly, the application was returned to the applicant to enable these requirements to be met.
The information supplied by the Deputy would appear to indicate that the applicant is of the view that there must be a local authority office and a Garda station in the location where the proposed CCTV system is to be established. I can assure the Deputy that this is not a requirement of the Scheme. I would again refer the Deputy to the documentation on my Department's website which provides a clear elaboration of the requirements for funding under the Scheme.
I am very keen to ensure that groups take full advantage of the available funding, and I would strongly encourage interested groups to utilise the Scheme. Guidance is available from my officials to provide any clarifications required in relation to the Scheme.