Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
1605. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider funding to provide CCTV systems or the means to upgrade existing antiquated CCTV systems in towns and villages within any of her 2023 funding programmes including the town and village scheme and Clár; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12444/23]
View answerOur Rural Future, the national rural development policy, recognises the importance of community safety in rural areas, and contains a number of measures to this end including the introduction of the Policing and Community Safety Bill to redefine the functions of An Garda Síochána to include community safety. However, in terms of funding schemes neither the Town and Village Renewal Scheme nor the CLÁR Scheme support the installation of CCTV systems. This matter comes within the scope of the Department of Justice.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme aims to assist with the rejuvenation of rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, making them more attractive places to live, work, and visit. In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, the 2022 scheme prioritised the renovation of derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres, with a view to bringing these buildings back into use.
Since it was first introduced in 2016 over €149 million has been allocated to more than 1,600 projects across Ireland. It has supported a range of activities from improving public realm areas to initiatives such as the development of enterprise hubs and remote working facilities. The priorities for the 2023 scheme are currently under review and will be announced in due course.
The CLÁR Programme provides funding for small-scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures. The CLÁR 2022 programme awarded a record €12.2 million with 292 projects supported.
The CLÁR programme this year will focus on supporting investment in a wide range of community facilities and community infrastructure. The measures to be funded in 2023 are currently under review and will be announced when the CLÁR 2023 program is launched shortly.
I understand that the Department of Justice administers a grant aid scheme for groups wishing to establish a community- based CCTV system in their area. Other measures being progressed by the Department of Justice in relation to community safety in rural areas include the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnership Pilots in Waterford and Longford in 2021, a review of community-based alert schemes, and the development of a revised legislative framework to provide clarity to local authorities on how local CCTV schemes can be established while enhancing community safety and data protection safeguards.
