Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 February 2025
668. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice if communication has been given to South Dublin County Council to commence local community safety partnerships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7604/25]
View answerA key principle of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is that community safety requires multi-agency cooperation working in partnership with An Garda Síochána and crucially with communities themselves. The Report recommended the establishment of national and local structures to bring together the relevant departments and State agencies involved in harm prevention to promote community safety.As the Deputy may be aware, the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which I intend to commence shortly, provides for the establishment of this national infrastructure. Local Community Safety Partnerships, which will operate at each local authority level, are central to this approach. In preparation for the national roll out of these Partnerships the Department piloted the model in three areas, Dublin North Inner City, Waterford and Longford and commissioned an independent evaluation of the pilots.
The Act also provides for a National Office for Community Safety. A function of this Office is to provide training, guidance and support to the Partnerships. In preparation for the establishment of the National Office a number of staff, including a Director Designate, have been appointed. These staff are working on preparations for the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships including developing a comprehensive guidance document informed by the learning from the pilots. The staff are also engaging directly with local authorities and other stakeholders to support establishment of Partnerships.
