Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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315. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if property seized by gardaí and authorised for disposal by the courts can be made available to community groups through the Community Safety Innovation Fund Scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59959/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Community Safety Innovation Fund awards funding from the Exchequer to successful applicants that have innovative and novel approaches to community safety. The Fund provides funding to these applicants to reflect the success of the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) that would not be available through other existing funding streams.

The disposal of assets seized by CAB is set out under the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Acts. All assets, including property, seized under the Acts are disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer with such funds returned to the Minister for Public Expenditure who is responsible for management of the Central Fund of the Exchequer.

Assets seized under the Acts currently may not be disposed of for a period at least seven years. This seven-year period may only be waived if all relevant parties consent.

Disposal of any asset under the Act may only be carried out in accordance with a Court Order. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Judiciary are independent in the exercise of their functions.

Minister McEntee announced her intention to review the seven year period and a reduction in the statutory timeframe will be considered in consultation with relevant stakeholders and the Office of the Attorney General.

In 2022, 22 applicants were successful in their applications for funding totalling €2 million under the Community Safety Innovation Fund. The Community Safety Innovation Fund has increased in Budget 2023 to €3 million. A call for applications to the 2023 fund will issue in the New Year.