New funding has been announced for Garda Text Alert Groups which will help support crime prevention in Westmeath.
Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald announced that the funding for the Community Alert Programme has been doubled to €350,000 and now incorporates a new €100,000 rebate scheme for local groups registered under the Garda Text Alert Scheme.
The funding has been welcomed by local Fine Gael councillor, Tom Farrell: “This funding will go directly to local groups here in Westmeath," he said. "I would encourage Text Alert groups here in Westmeath to apply to Muintir na Tire for the rebate as soon as possible and at the latest by the end of October, 2016.
“Text Alert Groups are a great crime prevention initiative. They are wonderful example of people working with their local gardaí to protect and support their community. Fine Gael is committed to prioritising community crime prevention schemes, including Text Alert, and this new funding is a tangible example of that.
“The Gardaí have made huge progress since the launch of Operation Thor last year and we have seen a reduction of one third in burglaries nationwide. We now have specific legislation to deal with repeat burglary offenders and particularly the organised gangs who have targeted many rural communities here in Westmeath and across Ireland.
“Fine Gael remains fully committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the means to continue to face down criminals and protect communities. Our party is committed to supporting communities across Ireland and I am committed to ensuring that the support is felt here in Westmeath. We are working to ensure that the economic recovery, which is now underway, reaches all parts of the country and the benefits are felt inside every doorstep and in every community.”
Applications can be made by completing a simple form which is available at http://muintir.ie/Text-Alert-Rebates/ or on request from [email protected] or by calling Muintir na Tire on (062 ) 51163.
