Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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441. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if approval has been given for a phone texting alert system in community alert schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20184/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that text alert systems may be used by Gardaí, via Community Alert or other such groups, to alert the community in relation to suspicious activity or vehicles in their area, appeal for information, inform the community about road closures or to provide crime prevention advice.

I am advised that the matter of the management of text alert systems in Community Alert schemes is currently being considered by An Garda Síochána in conjunction with stakeholder organisations such as Muintir na Tíre, Neighbourhood Watch and the Irish Farmers Association, with a view to identifying an appropriate model which could be rolled out nationally.