Minister Jim O’Callaghan launches Consent Matters project in Waterford
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 22 Meán Fómhair 2025
- Innovative collaborative initiative to tackle Sexual Violence and Harassment
- Initiative secured €150,000 from fund taken from proceeds of crime seized by Criminal Assets Bureau
The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, has today officially launched a Waterford based initiative to create a safe, respectful and positive culture of consent across the county.
The ‘Consent Matters’ Project aims to tackle sexual violence and harassment by involving educational, statutory and community stakeholders throughout Waterford City and County. The goal of this collaborative initiative of the Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership (WLCSP) and South East Technological University (SETU) is to raise awareness, educate key target community groups across Waterford and to create a supportive culture in the community, whilst attempting to reduce assaults.
This initiative draws upon the research, experience and training already established in SETU combined with the statutory and community experiences of WLCSP Partners, including the Purple Flag Initiative.
Today’s launch marks the countywide roll out of the educational phase of this project by the collaborative partners.
Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership (WLCSP) in collaboration with the South East Technological University applied for and were successful in securing funding of €150,000 from the Community Safety Innovation Fund in 2023 for ‘Consent Matters’.
Minister Jim O’Callaghan said:
“To create safe communities, we must work together in partnership. It is only by working collaboratively that important, impactful initiatives such as the Consent Matters project come to fruition.”
“As part of our zero tolerance approach to domestic, sexual and gender based violence the government is committed to supporting the rollout of active consent workshops across the country. Education of this type is vital in promoting a safer society.”
“The Community Safety Fund, now in its fourth year, continues to reinvest money seized from criminal networks to enhance public safety, wellbeing and opportunity in communities across the country.”
The Community Safety Innovation Fund was launched in 2021 to reinvest proceeds of crime 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 CSF plays a vital role in directing the proceeds of crime into community projects designed to enhance safety and security. The Fund also highlights the successes of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau in seizing the proceeds from criminal activity. The annual fund allows for the proceeds of crime to be directed into local projects, to support and enhance community safety.
The CSF was increased to €4m in 2025 for grants of €20,000 to €150,000. A significant number of applications were received for CSF 2025 and it is expected that successful projects will be announced in the coming weeks.
