Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1053. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of text alert groups that have been paid the text alert rebate for 2022 to date, by county; the reason for the delay in paying the rebate to the groups given the application process closed on 30 November 2022; if he will provide the details of each group, including the number who received a text alert rebate in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12438/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy 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 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.

The Department of Justice has made the following payments to Muintir na Tíre:

2021 - €124,060.35

2020 - €196,362.8

2019 - €123,911.81

The last request for payment the Department of Justice received from Muintir na Tíre was on 12 December 2022 which was for the 2021 Text Rebate claim and this was sent for payment on 13 December 2022. Muintir na Tíre are currently compiling the 2022 Text Alert Rebate and the Department will work with them on this.

The Department also is engaging with Muintir na Tíre on their review of the Text Alert Scheme with a view to delivering more cost effective options, such as the use of apps, for future versions of the Scheme.

The table appended to this answer details the payments by county as requested by the Deputy.