Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
802. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice what steps are being taken so that local authority provided closed circuit television can be used for the dual uses of crime detection and to combat illegal dumping; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11629/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Local Authorities are wholly independent in their operations and functions. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in the operations of any Local Authority.
Matters surrounding the use of CCTV by Local Authorities to tackle illegal dumping rest with my colleague, the Minster for Environment, Climate and Communications. I understand that the relevant sections of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act allowing for the use of CCTV under the Waste Management Act and Litter Pollution Act, and the use of other Mobile Recording Devices under the Waste Management Act, were commenced from 15 February by Minister Ryan.I understand from Minister Ryan's Department that it is therefore now open to any Local Authority to begin the process of putting the required procedures in place to allow for the use of such technologies to combat littering and illegal dumping, subject to adherence with the relevant Code of Practice.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,
• 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.
The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023, which was signed into law in December last year, will reform CCTV schemes. Under the Act, community groups will have a greater say in keeping their community safe as they will be able to request schemes in their area. The Act is to be commenced in stages. It is envisaged that the Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs), which will be established under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 to replace Joint Policing Committees, will be the appropriate body to request community CCTV schemes in the future. Local residents, Local Authority staff, Councillors and members of An Garda Síochána will all be represented on the Partnerships, and will be best-placed to know how CCTV can be appropriately utilised in their area.
