Clondalkin Councillor Kenneth Egan has welcomed the opening of applications for grant aid under the brand new proceeds of crime fund which he campaigned to establish. Local community groups are being invited to apply for grants of up to €150,000 from the €2million fund, with applications open from now until 8thJune.
“I came up with the idea of using some of the proceeds of crime, seized by CAB, to benefit local community projects and was thrilled when Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee told me this was something she would do. The fund has now been established and local groups, including projects in Clondalkin, can now apply for grant funding for ideas they have about how to improve community safety. The Community Safety Innovation Fund will give two million euro back to communities that have been impacted negatively by crime and I think that’s something really positive because I want to see areas like ours being made stronger, safer communities,” explained Fine Gael’s Cllr. Kenneth Egan.
The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, officially opened applications for the new fund, confirming that it will use money seized from the proceeds of crime to support investment in community safety projects. She said it will see the proceeds of crime re-invested in local projects to improve community safety, saying that it was reflective of the success of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau in seizing proceeds from criminal activity.
“This is the first call for funding applications and I expect the budget will grow next year again,” continued Cllr. Kenneth Egan. “Projects that tackle or reduce the fear of crime, support the creation of safe and resilient communities, reduce reoffending or divert vulnerable individuals away from engagement in criminal behaviour will all be eligible to apply and I know we have some amazing local initiatives that will qualify. I’d really encourage local groups to apply because €150,000 could go a long way in Clondalkin.”
The Fund is open to bodies involved in community safety and will support them in addressing local needs and opportunities for innovation not provided for in other funds managed by Departments and agencies. The call for applications for the Fund runs from 6 April until 8 June 2022 and grants will range from €20,000 to €150,000. The development of innovative ideas will also allow best practice on community safety and youth justice to be shared with other partnerships and communities nationally as new proposals are developed.
