Jim O'Callaghan

The Community Safety Fund redirects proceeds of crime seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and An Garda Siochana back into communities.

This year’s total allocation of €4.4 million is a 33 per cent increase on the €3 million awarded in 2024.

It will support 42 community safety projects across the country, almost double the number of projects funded by the first Community Safety Fund in 2022.

Justice, home affairs and migration minister Jim O’Callaghan said: “The Community Safety Fund is an important and effective element in achieving stronger, safer communities.

“It ensures that the proceeds of crime seized by CAB and An Garda Síochána are re-invested back into communities to enhance safety and security in those communities.

“It demonstrates that the efforts of our gardaí and law enforcement bodies can not only disrupt and seize the proceeds of crime but can directly contribute to building stronger and safer communities.”

Successful projects this year focus on a broad range of thematic areas that include domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV); countering drug-related intimidation; addiction recovery and substance misuse; and violence reduction.

Youth support, community reintegration of offenders, trauma-informed and restorative approaches, as well as initiatives supporting minority or marginalised groups, have also been funded.

Mr O’Callaghan visited the YMCA Dublin on Aungier Street, who will receive €142,500 for their ‘Community Wellbeing and Safety Initiative’. This project will support safer, more connected communities through a combined research and outreach approach.

The project will engage vulnerable youth from the Dublin 2, 8 and 13 areas focusing on relationship-building, outreach, and responses to safety identified by local residents.

The minister added: “The quality of the applications this year was very high. 42 projects will be funded which is our highest number yet under the fund.

“The successful projects are innovative, with clear measurable targets, that help to address needs or gaps in community safety in their respective areas.

“I want to see this fund continue to expand as it delivers tangible results on the ground.

“In recognition of its importance and impact I secured an increase in funding for 2026 bringing the available allocation under the Community Safety Fund to €4.75 million next year.

“Local community safety partnerships are currently being established across the country. These partnerships will have a role in supporting the purpose of this fund to direct proceeds of crime directly back into the communities for the benefit of those communities.”

A National Office for Community Safety has been established which has responsibility for administering the Community Safety Fund.

The office is also providing support, training and guidance to local community safety partnerships (LCSPs), which are currently being rolled out across the State.

Gráinne Berrill, director of the National Office for Community Safety, said: “The volume and breadth of applications received to the Community Safety Fund in 2025 demonstrates its value in redirecting the proceeds of crime into projects that support and enhance community safety.

“We were delighted to be able to fund more projects this year than any previous year and welcome the minister securing an increase in the size of the fund for 2026.

“Local community safety partnerships will identify issues relating to community safety in their area and develop responses to these through tailored local community safety plans.

“Safety partnerships will therefore have an important future role to play in aligning the Community Safety Fund to community needs, further enhancing the impact of the fund for local communities.”