Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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114. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider setting aside funding to subsidise community alert and neighbourhood watch groups to specifically assist them in the placement of signage advertising the phone number of the closest 24/7 manned Garda station to each such group in view of the reduction in direct Garda resources and funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31663/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has implemented very significant investments in Garda resources including new Garda vehicles, equipment and technology, and additional investments were outlined in the recent Budget Day announcements for 2017. The Deputy will also be aware that a further Garda recruitment campaign had been launched as part of an accelerated programme of recruitment with a view to increasing Garda numbers to 15,000.

In relation specifically to supports for local groups, I should point out that the funding available to my Department for Crime Prevention initiatives has been doubled in 2016 and that most of this funding is going to strengthen the operation of the Community Alert programme, which is a partnership between An Garda Síochána and Muintir na Tire. In particular, this funding supports the national and regional operation of the programme, including the important work of Regional Development Officers who play a key role in supporting new and existing Community Alert groups.

Furthermore, I recently announced a new cost rebate scheme, administered by Muintir na Tire, for local groups operating the Garda Text Alert scheme, including many Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch groups. The €100,000 funding which I have provided in 2016 will cover the cost of approximately 1.6 million texts.

I am keen to continue to support community crime prevention initiatives and have secured a 25% increase in the funding which will be available in 2017. In this context, I can advise the Deputy that, in consultation with the Garda authorities, I intend to review the operation of the new rebate scheme and our general approach to supporting community crime prevention, including with respect to signage, in the early part of 2017.