Tipperary communities benefit as crime proceeds reinvested locally
The Community Safety Fund (CSF) redirects the proceeds of crime seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and An Garda Siochana into communities across the country.
In Tipperary, €183,050 has been allocated to two projects, with a joint application from Tipperary County Council and Youth Work Ireland Tipperary being awarded the highest single amount of €137,750.
The joint project, the Cashel Traveller Education Initiative, aims to keep Traveller children in school, improve literacy, and build confidence.
Elsewhere in the county, €45,300 has been allocated to the Killaloe/Ballina Community and Family Resource Centre in the twin towns of Ballina in Tipperary and Killaloe in Clare for their Non-Violent Resistant Programme called Power without Violence.
North Tipperary TD Ryan O’Meara said that the funding shows how gardaí are not only disrupting crime across the county, but putting money back into communities that have been affected by crime.
"We’re seeing the work of An Garda Síochána not just disrupt and interrupt criminal organisations, but then taking their proceeds, taking their funds and reinvesting it back into our communities.
"The Government is making crime pay for Ballina and Killaloe with this allocation,” he added.
The allocations for Tipperary come as part of a national €4.4million investment in communities impacted by crime.
This year’s allocation is a 33pc increase on the €3 million awarded in 2024.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said the CSF helps to build stronger communities.
"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.
"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,” the Minister added.
The Community Safety Fund was established in 2022 and continues to expand each year.