Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 October 2026
16. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide an update on the operation and expansion of community CCTV schemes; the supports available to local communities and local authorities seeking to establish or expand CCTV in areas experiencing persistent antisocial behaviour and crime; and if barriers to the approval or implementation of such schemes are being addressed. [70693/26]
View answerDeputy Roche called for more gardaí in constituencies. I would love to have more gardaí in Dublin Bay North. I welcome that the Minister was present earlier in the week at the safety day regarding warnings about fireworks. With Halloween coming and fires across north Dublin, I ask for an update on community CCTV in areas experiencing persistent antisocial behaviour and crime. Is consideration being given to the installation of CCTV cameras, such as solar CCTV, that cannot be easily damaged by fires being lit underneath them?
I thank the Deputy for his question and for being present at the event to launch the fireworks awareness campaign earlier this week. People need to be aware of the danger and devastating injuries can be caused by fireworks. We saw an example of it at the Dublin Fire Brigade training centre on Monday. We need to warn young people that if fireworks inflict injuries on them those injuries can and will be long term and devastating.
The Deputy wants to ensure that there is more use of CCTV material in his constituency. I share that view and want CCTV used throughout the country. It is a very effective mechanism to detect and deter crime. Its installation and operation must be carefully planned and competently managed, ensuring compliance with data protection law and regulations. Part 5 of The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 relates to public CCTV. I am in the process of commencing that.
Before I came to the House to deal with these questions, I signed statutory instruments in respect of the recording devices (amendment) commencement order for Part 5 and sections 6 and 7 and the ministerial order that sets out a code of practice for Part 5. I signed that ministerial order on 5 October. All of those orders will come into force on 14 October. I believe they will significantly improve the manner in which gardaí can use CCTV footage for the purposes of investigating the law and also act as a deterrent. I heard what the Deputy said about ensuring that the cameras are properly protected and cannot be vandalised.
Aontaím go hiomlán leis sin. Táim an-bhuíoch as ach níl sé maith go leor. Across north Dublin, we have had fires in playgrounds, public toilets and astro pitches. Taxpayers are paying local property taxes and tax and the amenities need to be protected. We are watching taxpayers' money go up in flames.
Almost every year, a fire is lit on the green in Greencastle Crescent, Coolock. I have spoken to residents who do not want a fire. Why can we not install a community garden or something made of concrete in the area where the fire is lit every year so that it cannot be attacked? I will engage with the office of the Minister on this. The residents should be protected. They want to be able to enjoy Halloween without having to put cardboard and wood on their windows to protect them from the blazing fire. I fought hard for CCTV and have confirmation from Dublin City Council that there is no issue with it, but the difficulty is the roll-out. One can buy a solar CCTV camera online for €50 and provide automatic replies to a local community safety network.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. Aontaím leis ar an gceist sin. We spent huge amounts putting amenities in our communities, including playgrounds for children. Unfortunately, we have seen examples where they have been vandalised. That type of behaviour is unacceptable and the people doing it need be aware of two things: first, that they are destroying their local community and it is damaging their self-interest; and, second, that they will be thoroughly investigated by An Garda Síochána.
It is important that we have CCTV cameras in place. It is also important that we as an Oireachtas send out a very strong message that attacking and vandalising local amenities is not acceptable. Until we put pressure on younger people who are involved in that activity to realise that it is socially abhorrent to do so, we will find ourselves facing these issues. We need stronger deterrents and investigation from An Garda Síochána. I committed to using CCTV and I believe it will assist us. The regulations I have signed are part of that.
When the Minister was a young lad, he might have heard messages on building sites that warned people that they were on private property and were under CCTV control. North Dublin has experienced high population growth, alongside recent persistent problems with antisocial behaviour. I ask the Minister's officials to chase this up with the local authorities across the constituency I represent. It is not acceptable for a playground or toilet to be installed and burned down days later.
I welcome the youth diversion programme progressions. Other countries have youth diversion programmes and work in school programmes. Getting to people at their early years of development is key. The people of north Dublin deserve these amenities. It is not acceptable that they are burned down. I again refer to Greencastle Crescent, Coolock. We know Halloween is coming and people are collecting wood. If the area could be monitored to prevent a bonfire, my constituents would not have to put wood and cardboard on their windows.
I hear what the Deputy is saying and I am happy to engage with him in respect of it. It is important to point out that, yesterday, an additional €11.5 million in funding was allocated for youth diversion projects. Those projects are available throughout the whole country, including in the Deputy’s constituency. I am sure they will be availed of for the purpose of trying to deter those young people who decide to go down the pathway of criminality. It is our job to try to deter them. If we do not deter them and they persist, we need more serious sanctions for them.
The Minister is still only a young fella.
