James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising the community supports rebate and for tabling this very important Commencement matter.

As he will be aware, the Department of Justice provides funding to Muintir na Tíre to cover the costs incurred by communities in administering the text alert scheme. The scheme is administered on a refund basis whereby communities submit their annual costs to Muintir na Tíre and I am told that a maximum refund of up to €450 is provided to the community.This funding is provided for in the Department of Justice’s crime prevention budget. My Department has made the following payments to Muintir na Tíre: in 2021,€124,060.35 was paid; in 2020, €196,362.80 was paid; and in 2019, €123,911.81 was paid. Muintir na Tíre is compiling the 2022 text alert rebate and the Department will work with it on this. My Department is also engaging with Muintir na Tíre on its review of the text alert scheme with a view to how it is being delivered and to delivering more cost-effective options, such as the use of apps, for future versions of the scheme. I have heard what the Senator has said in his two proposals and I will bring those back to the Department to perhaps form part of that review and to see what considerations can be given, as I understand the Senator's concerns.

As the Senator will be aware, a key pillar of the programme for Government is building stronger and safer communities. The ongoing work of my Department in this area is highlighted in the Rural Safety Plan 2022-2024, which I published at the National Ploughing Championships last September. Under the plan, there is a commitment to the piloting and roll-out of the An Garda Síochána's, See Something, Say Something initiative. This was developed in Kerry Garda division to combat public order and anti-social behaviour using a text alert system. See Something, Say Something allows members of the public to anonymously text the Garda if they see something concerning or suspicious in their local area. That is not in any way to take away from the local community groups, which are doing a fantastic job. I have been advised by the Garda authorities that following positive feedback about this initiative from Kerry, they are working to assess and provide a suitable platform for its further roll-out. No timeline is available yet but my Department is closely engaging with Garda management on this issue as a key part of protecting all of our communities.

I know this is a matter close to the Senator's heart and that he has raised this internally, as well as with the Department, Ministers and Ministers of State. I assure him we will keep this matter under constant review and continue to work with Muintir na Tíre on how the rebate is working.