Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2014
280. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on putting the text alerts system run by community watch throughout rural Ireland on a statutory footing in order to combat rural crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45114/14]
View answerThe Garda Text Alert Scheme, which was launched in September 2013, was piloted initially in a number of locations and developed in cooperation with Muintir na Tíre, Neighbourhood Watch, the Irish Farmers' Association and related stakeholders. It provides a further mechanism for Gardaí to provide crime prevention information to community contacts who in turn forward the information to all members of a community groups. During the first year of the Text Alert system over 600,000 texts have been sent, alerting individuals and communities across Ireland to potential criminal activity in their local area. There are over 450 Text Alert Groups in towns and villages throughout Ireland with more than 80,000 people signing-up to the scheme. I am informed that every Garda Division, rural and urban, now offers the text alert service and An Garda Síochána have published guidelines to assist in the establishment and operation of local groups.
Any Neighbourhood Watch or Community Alert group can approach their local Gardaí to establish a local Text Alert initiative. In this regard, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the initiative as it already exists is considered to be a particularly useful crime prevention tool and helps to harness community involvement in Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert schemes.
I have received no indication from the Garda authorities that there is a need to consider putting the Text Alert initiative on a statutory footing and, in light of the continued success of the current arrangements, have no plans to do so.
