Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
208. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications submitted from counties Cavan and Monaghan for funding under the CCTV community scheme; the date of receipt of each application; the number of applications approved to date; the date of approval of each; the funding drawn down to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31680/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to supporting investment in CCTV systems. In pursuance of this commitment, a 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 some €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.
It should be noted that community CCTV is governed by section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006 (SI No 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.
Of the applications submitted to my Department to date, 1 was received from Cavan while none has been received from Monaghan to date.
The application from Cavan was received on 29 June 2017. The application as submitted did not meet the requirements either for proposed community CCTV systems or to qualify for grant aid funding. Following consideration of the application, a response issued from my Department on 13 July 2017, returning the documentation to the applicant to provide the opportunity to bring the application within the eligibility criteria of the scheme and to provide the information necessary to qualify for grant-aid.
Full details of the grant aid package are available to download from my Department's website www.justice.ie. I am keen to ensure that all interested groups, in both rural and urban areas, take advantage of the availability of this grant-aid scheme and I encourage any interested groups to make contact with my Department with any queries or if they require assistance in relation to the scheme. A dedicated email address is available for that purpose communitycctv@justice.ie.
