Mattie McGrath
Ceist:283. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the funding allocated for local community CCTV schemes; the amount drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23356/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 29 May 2018
Ceisteanna (283)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to supporting investment in CCTV systems. In pursuance of this commitment, a community-based CCTV grant-aid scheme was launched by my Department in 2017 to assist groups in the establishment of community-based CCTV systems in their local areas. It is intended that the Scheme will run for 3 years with funding of €1 million being made available each year.
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.
There has been an increasing level of enquiries relating to the scheme. 11 applications have been received to date and I understand that a number of other applications are currently being finalised for submission.
4 applications under the scheme have been approved to date, with approved funding totalling almost €120,000. A further 4 applications are under active consideration. The remaining 3 applications received to date have been returned to the applicants concerned, to enable them to provide the information necessary to qualify for grant-aid.
Successful applicants receive an up-front payment of 50% of approved funding upon approval of the grant, with the balance to be paid when the CCTV system is fully operational. I can confirm that of the 4 approved applications, involving approved funding of almost €120,000, 1 of these CCTV systems is now fully operational and accordingly in that case, 100% of the grant awarded has been paid out. The initial grant payment of 50% of the approved total has been paid in the other 3 cases and in each case, the balance of the grant will be paid when these CCTV systems are fully operational.
It should be noted that 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. However, both the application process and documentation were updated and streamlined as compared to the previous scheme, to make them more user-friendly. Support and guidance is also available to interested groups from my Department.
I am very conscious of the value that communities, especially rural communities, place on CCTV as a means of deterring crime and assisting in the detection of offenders and I would encourage interested groups to avail of the scheme. Full details of the grant aid package are available to download from my Department's website - www.justice.ie. In addition, my officials are available to provide assistance and guidance to any interested party, with a dedicated email address available for that purpose - communitycctv@justice.ie.