Laois TD and Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, has outlined details for additional financial support to Community Text Alert Groups in 2017 which is being made available by his Department.
This is part of the Department’s ongoing support of crime prevention in rural communities.
The Rebate Scheme, which also ran in 2016, allows Text Alert Groups registered with An Garda Síochána to apply for funding towards their yearly running costs.
Speaking at a Fine Gael Constituency meeting Monday night, Minister Flanagan stated: “At last week’s Ploughing Championships, I announced details of the 2017 Text Alert Rebate Scheme which will be available to almost 1,000 local groups registered under the Garda Text Alert Scheme.
“My Department will be making in the region of €100,000 available to local communities who wish to apply for a rebate towards the costs associated with running their local Text Alert Scheme.
“I believe that this is a great crime prevention initiative. I know of several Text Alert Groups in operation across County Laois and I would hope that the Rebate Scheme will encourage the setting up of more of these across the county.
“These schemes are a prime example of people working with their local Gardai to protect and support their community.
“In addition, my Department is also assisting in the prevention and detection of local crime through the grant-aid scheme to assist the establishment of community based CCTV systems, which was announced earlier this year.
“These CCTV systems will act as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour and enhance existing policing provision here in Laois. This scheme will run for 3 years with funding of €1 million being made available each year to assist local communities.
“Across County Laois, particularly in rural areas such as Shanahoe, Durrow & Borris in Ossory, there are a number of CCTV Schemes in operation, many of which have been funded locally by the community”
“The provision of CCTV schemes will assist in the prevention and reduction of local crime, disorder and anti-social activity and increase community involvement in combatting crime in local areas.”
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