Skip to main content
Normal View

Departmental Bodies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Questions (1257)

Mark Ward

Question:

1257. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the status of plans to redirect money and assets seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau back into the community; if a call for funding proposals will issue shortly seeking applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19670/22]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy may be aware, on 11 April I opened applications for a new fund which will see the proceeds of crime re-invested in local projects to improve community safety.

Reflecting the success of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau in seizing proceeds from criminal activity, the new fund will use money seized from the proceeds of crime to support investment in innovative community safety projects.

The Community Safety Innovation Fund, which is expected to grow in the coming years, will have an initial outlay of €2m for this year.  

It is anticipated that the kind of projects which may be supported will include new activities, not  already covered by existing funding streams, intended to:

- tackle crime or reduce the fear of crime;

- improve community safety and feelings of safety;

- support the creation of safe and resilient communities;

- reduce reoffending; or

- divert vulnerable individuals away from engagement in criminal behaviour.

This new fund will ensure that the success of An Garda Síochána and CAB is reflected in new investments in our communities, and on projects which will build strong and safe communities. Community Safety is about people being safe and, just as importantly, feeling safe within their communities. This, of course, goes beyond policing alone. This fund will ensure that the best proposals get the funding they need, and it will encourage the development of innovative ways in which to improve community safety from those people who understand local needs best. 

The Fund is open to bodies involved in community safety and will support them in addressing local needs and opportunities for innovation not provided for in other funds managed by Departments and agencies. The call for applications for the Fund runs from 11 April until 8 June 2022 and grants will range from €20,000 to €150,000.

The development of innovative ideas will also allow best practice on community safety and youth justice to be shared with other partnerships and communities nationally as new proposals are developed.

This launch fulfils a commitment in my Justice Plan 2022 to seek applications for community safety projects and similar initiatives from bodies involved in community safety.

Completed Application Forms are to be returned by 5 pm on 8 June 2022 to a dedicated email address: CommunitySafetyInnovationFund@justice.ie.

Further information is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/CSI-Fund-2022.

Top
Share