Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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530. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications to the new community safety innovation fund; when it is anticipated that allocations from the fund will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35946/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The development of the Community Safety Innovation Fund is a key commitment under Justice Plan 2022 which will have a significant impact on the development of community safety projects throughout the country.

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department opened applications for the new Community Safety Innovation Fund on 11 April 2022.

The new fund will use money seized from the proceeds of crime to support investment in innovative community safety projects.  This a fitting reflection of the successful work of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau in identifying and seizing proceeds from criminal activity.

The fund has an initial allocation of €2 million under Budget 2022, and I expect this funding to grow in future to continue to reflect the successes of An Garda Síochána, the Criminal Assets Bureau and other agencies involved in denying criminal elements the benefits of their enterprises. Of course, any future allocations to the fund will be subject to the usual budgetary processes.

The new Community Safety Innovation Fund closed for applications for its first year of operation on June 8 2022.  I can confirm that my Department has received 120 applications from a diverse range of organisations seeking to access funding for innovative projects to improve community safety. The process of initial eligibility assessment and scoring of the applications is ongoing and will continue through the summer. I expect that grants will be made to the successful applicants in the autumn.