Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in 2021 I announced the creation of the Community Safety Innovation Fund (CSIF) to reinvest proceeds of crime funds returned to the exchequer by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) back into communities, in order to fund innovative local projects aimed at building stronger, safer communities. The fund had an initial allocation of €2m in 2022, which increased to €3m in 2023, and the fund was further increased to €3.75m in Budget 2024.

Investing this money back into the community is a tangible way of showing that there can be a direct link between the activities of law enforcement and building stronger, safer communities.

I can advise the Deputy that in 2022, the CSIF paid out over €1.6m to successful projects, and €2.9m in 2023.

Next month, I expect to launch the call for applications for CSIF 2024. The fund encourages and supports the development of innovative ways in which to improve community safety from those people who best understand the needs in their locality.