Alan Kelly
Question:512. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the timeline for the roll-out of the community safety partnerships across the country. [9322/25]
View answerTuesday, 4 March 2025
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Written answers
A 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 Commission's 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.
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 (LCSPs), which will operate at each local authority level, are a key part of this approach.
In preparation for the national roll out of these Partnerships my Department piloted the model in three areas; Dublin North Inner City, Waterford and Longford. My Department also commissioned an independent evaluation of the pilots.
The 2024 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 LCSPs 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.
Once the Act is commenced which I hope to do later this month, I intend to make regulations under section 114 of the 2024 Act, providing for the establishment and operation of the Partnerships, as soon as possible.