New fund will direct money seized by CAB back into disadvantaged communites

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West Mark Ward has welcomed news that a fund has been set up that will direct money seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau back into communities affected by crime.

The Proceeds of Crime (Investment in Disadvantaged Communities) Bill 2021 passed at second stage in the Oireachtas in July last year.

The Community Safety Innovation Fund that Minister McEntee has announced will see €2 million of money seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB)  redirected back into communities.

In a statement, Deputy Ward said: “I received a response to a parliamentary question yesterday that confirms that €2 million of money seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) will be redirected back into communities.

“Sinn Féin has always advocated that any money seized by CAB be ring-fenced and put back into communities to tackle disadvantage and to fund prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services in the fight against drugs

“This fund could also be used for local sports clubs, youth clubs, employment centres and other valuable services in our communities,” he said.

“Last July I had the Proceeds of Crime (Investment in Disadvantaged Communities) (Amendment) Bill 2021 passed at second stage in the Oireachtas.

“This Bill would see the money seized by CAB reinvested in to the areas most affected by crime.

“The Community Safety Innovation Fund that the Minister has announced is a positive move forward, however the Minister must ensure that it goes into community groups who are on the front line of keeping our young people away from crime.”

Deputy Ward says that part of his local community, North Clondalkin, has “been ripped apart from drug use and crime over the years.

“I have seen whole families wiped out.

“We now have in some cases three generations of addicts from the one family.

“This is not a failure by these families but more  symptom of years of systemic underinvestment in certain areas.

“It does not happen by accident that  most of the money seized by CAB originates in areas that are highly disadvantaged.

“As a TD for Dublin Mid-West, I know the devastation these criminals have brought to working class communities right across Dublin and beyond.”