Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
33. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the development of a community safety partnership for Cork county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34604/26]
View answerThe Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which I commenced in April 2025, provides for the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships (Safety Partnerships) within each local authority area.
Under section 116 of the Act, Safety Partnerships once established, are independent, community-led bodies mandated to design tailored safety plans based on local priorities. They make their own decisions as to their day-to-day activity, operating in accordance with Statutory Regulations and having regard to Guidance from the National Office for Community Safety. Queries relating to their work should be directed to the relevant Safety Partnership.
In accordance with the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, and in recognition that community safety is not solely the responsibility of An Garda Síochána, Safety Partnerships bring together a broader range of relevant stakeholders to identify and respond to issues relating to community safety in a coordinated, proactive way.
Each Local Community Safety Partnership is required to develop and implement its own tailored community safety plan.
The inaugural meeting of Cork County Local Community Safety Partnership was held on 23 March 2026 where they elected the chairperson, Councillor Cathal Rasmussen, and the Vice Chairperson Councillor Patrick Donovan.
Contact details for Local Community Safety Partnerships are available at this link:
justicegovie.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/45c092b0ff534dd48bce257bbe7a7dc0
The National Office for Community Safety, an office of my Department, is providing support and guidance to Safety Partnerships in the performance of their functions and to monitor the implementation of local community safety plans.
