Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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220. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when she expects the installation of the CCTV project that was sought for three schemes (details supplied) in Killarney, County Kerry, with particular emphasis on scheme 2; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24455/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Community safety is a top priority for my Department and everyone has the right to be safe and feel safe in their communities. This is evidenced by the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships in three pilot locations to date, ahead of a national roll out later this year. Community CCTV plays a vital role in achieving the goal of ensuring that everyone has the right to be safe and feel safe.

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 (until JPCs are replaced by Local Community Safety Partnerships),
• 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.

I can confirm that officials in my Department have been in contact with Kerry County Council regarding the applications raised by the Deputy. Officials in the Council have informed officials in my Department that work on compliance issues associated with the application is ongoing and it is expected that the Council will fully draw down funds for the schemes referred to by the Deputy in 2024.