Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The most important thing is that people know that crime does not pay, whether you are a drug dealer or involved in any type of crime. That is why the work of CAB is so important. Some of my changes will make it easier and quicker for CAB to confiscate, identify and disburse the proceeds of the crime it has confiscated. It will also help to prevent criminals from frustrating the system, which they so often do.

The community safety innovation fund is now taking money that has been directly seized from criminals and is putting it back into communities. Some of the programmes we see - this relates to both of Deputies Ó Murchú and Durkan’s points - look at new and innovative ways through which we can support people within communities, for example, in the areas of addiction, young people, and through providing alternatives or different options. I can see that through some of the programmes and projects that have already been delivered and developed through the community safety innovation fund.

One specific focus of the Greentown project is to look at families of young people who may be targeted because they do not and cannot get the supports from the families, because they cannot do that themselves. It is a matter of how we take them out of that situation and support the families, as well as the people who are being dragged into a life of crime. There are so many different layers to it. We need to invest in all of those layers and it is something to which we are all committed. Certainly, An Garda Síochána is committed to playing its part as well.

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