Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
343. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if members of the Oireachtas are automatically members of community safety partnership; if not, the arrangements which have been made to allow Members of the Oireachtas participate in community safety partnerships. [73198/25]
View answerThe Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which I commenced on Wednesday 2 April 2025, provides for the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSP) within each local authority area.
The regulations for these Safety Partnerships came into operation on Monday 30 June, and 36 Partnerships are in the process of being established in local authority areas across the country. I have appointed members to 32 Local Community Safety Partnerships and I expect to be making further appointments in the near future.
I recognise the importance of participation by elected representatives and the need to ensure they remain central to the new partnerships. All elected representatives will have opportunities to engage with their Safety Partnership, including a closed meeting for members of the Oireachtas and local authority to meet with members of the Safety Partnership.
Seven local authority members will be nominated to their Local Community Safety Partnerships from amongst, and by, their membership and will have a crucial role to play in ensuring the voice of their constituents is represented. This ensures that local democratic input remains a core element of the new arrangements, while also allowing for wider community representation and expertise.
Appointments to Local Community Safety Partnerships are made with regard to the overall balance of representation and the need to ensure that the partnerships remain locally grounded, community-driven and supported by members with relevant expertise. The composition of each Safety Partnership aims to strike a fair balance between elected representatives, community voices, and key agencies whose cooperation is essential to improving safety outcomes.
The National Office for Community Safety, an office of my Department, is providing support to local authorities and in particular to Local Community Safety Partnership teams, in the process of establishing each Safety Partnership in their area.
