Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 June 2026
230. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when the long overdue CCTV system for Killarney town will be installed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48110/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2017 my Department has administered a grant-aid scheme supporting communities and local authorities who wish to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area, which provides grants of up to €40,000 for capital expenditure and up to €5,000 for maintenance.
This grant scheme is provided for in the Garda Vote, for which the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer. I am informed that, to date, grants totalling over €950,000 have been approved for 36 Community CCTV schemes across the country. The Garda National Community Engagement Bureau offer support and assistance in relation to all applications and processes. Each application is evaluated on the principals of necessity, proportionality and legality. This ensures that every application receives the necessary and robust review to ensure the CCTV application will withstand a Human Rights and Privacy screening test.
All applications must be presented to the CCTV Advisory Committee and the need for each camera justified. I would encourage local Gardaí and Kerry County Council to continue to engage directly on any outstanding issues in relation to the scheme in Killarney.
As the Deputy may be aware the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 provides for a new regime for the authorisation and operation of CCTV schemes. Part 5 of that Act, when commenced, will introduce these new arrangements. There is a requirement under that Act for the Garda Commissioner to develop a Code of Practice for CCTV which will set out the procedures to be followed. As part of developing this new Code of Practice, An Garda Síochána consulted with the bodies listed in Part 8 of the Act and conducted a public consultation for any views or observations on the draft Code of Practice.
Prior to commencement, an amendment is required to the transitional arrangements in section 7 of the 2023 Act, for existing CCTV applications. That amendment has been included in the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill and is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas. I expect that the new CCTV provisions set out in Part 5 will be commenced this summer.
