Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
945. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the roll-out of the community based CCTV system in communities nationwide will be considered in view of the fact that not one community CCTV system is operational in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34226/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCCTV systems installed for the purposes of crime prevention and as aids to policing in areas to which the general public routinely have access fall into two distinct but complementary categories, namely Garda CCTV systems and community-based CCTV systems.
Community CCTV is governed by section 38(3)(c) 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 and these key legal requirements have not changed since 2006.
It is of course the case that the possibility of establishing a Community CCTV scheme is available to groups that meet these legal requirements, anywhere in country, including the Dublin area. I understand, indeed, that a number of Community CCTV schemes in the Dublin area were among those whose establishment was funded by Pobal under an earlier grant aid scheme which it administered on behalf of my Department.
In terms of current funding possibilities, I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department administers a grant aid scheme which can provide financial assistance to groups intending to establish a community-based CCTV system. There is no geographic limitation on this grant aid scheme. Eligible groups, including community groups and local authorities nationwide, can apply for grant-aid of up to 60% of the total capital cost of a proposed CCTV system, up to a maximum total of €40,000. Grant funding can be considered only for proposed CCTV schemes which have obtained the necessary statutory approvals, as set out above.
21 applications have been approved to date under the scheme, involving approval for grants totalling more than €500,000. If the Deputy is aware of groups wishing to avail of the scheme, further details are available to download from my Department's website - www.justice.ie and support and guidance is available to help interested groups through a dedicated email address communitycctv@justice.ie.
