Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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316. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current position with the community text alert scheme; the number of schemes operating in the country; the plans to change or enhance the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14934/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department funds Muintir na Tíre through a mix of grant funding and a rebate on the costs of their SMS Alert Scheme. Muintir na Tíre is a social movement that develops and assists rural communities across the country. My Department has worked with them for many years in the area of Crime Prevention and Community Development and provides funding to cover the costs incurred by communities in administering the community text alert scheme.

Community text alert operates nationally, with over 1,000 groups throughout the country. These groups are generally based around a parish or a townland and have an average membership of 205 people, representing over 200,000 people nationally. The groups are supported by Muintir na Tíre and An Garda Síochána.

Muintir na Tíre has a team of five Community Alert Development Officers (CADOs) across the country. The CADOs are supported by Muintir na Tíre Head Office for administration and other services. Groups are supported locally by An Garda Síochána primarily through Community Gardaí and Crime Prevention Officers guided by Inspectors and Superintendents. The programme is co-ordinated through regular contact between Muintir na Tíre and AGS Community Relations Bureau.

Activities typically carried out by Community Alert Groups include:

• Community Text Alert.
• Property Marking and Recording.
• Inter-community communication through the Cairde mobile app.
• Community Information events, such as Community Comeback.
• Ensuring the safety of vulnerable residents using the Community Support Register.
• Ensure medical well-being through the Bottle in the Fridge and the Personal Information Pack.
• Ensuring personal safety through the Seniors Alert Scheme (personal monitored alarms).
• Befriending services.