Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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301. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if, in relation to funding awarded to an organisation (details supplied) through the community safety fund, to outline why they were not successful for the second round of funding for a similar research project; if they can appeal this decision; to outline the appeal process; to outlined if other funding streams are available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27903/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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In 2021, the creation of the Community Safety Innovation Fund was announced 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 has since been renamed the Community Safety Fund (CSF).

The Community Safety Fund 2024 received 90 applications, all of which were subject to a comprehensive eligibility and appraisal assessment. Of the 90 applications received, 33 were successful and approved for funding following this assessment.

Each year there are more applications than funding available; projects are prioritised within the available funds and having regard to other community services funded in the specific area by the Department. The focus of the Community Safety Fund is on innovation and filling gaps in service delivery to promote community safety, and not on research.

The Fund also seeks to avoid duplication with other community-based services funded by the Department. In this case, the Department is already funding three Youth Diversion Projects in the area, whose mandate includes working with harder-to-engage children and young people, and those at risk of involvement in criminal gangs. Separately, the Probation Service funds a fourth project in the area that also works with young people deemed to be at significant risk.

The Government’s approach has been to strengthen the capacity of Youth Diversion Projects to work with children at such risk, to support the Greentown project trials, and to sponsor the Criminal Justice (Engagement of Children in Criminal Activity) Act 2024. This important Act addresses the very specific issue of grooming children for the purpose of committing criminal acts.

The Community Safety Fund does not provide for an appeals process. Applicants are provided with feedback where requested.