Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 October 2025
30. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on the roll-out of local community safety partnerships (LCSPs); the reason that there has been no Joint Policing Committee or LCSP in Galway city for the past 18 months; when this will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53535/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. 36 Partnerships are in the process of being established in local authority areas across the country.
Members have now been appointed to 8 Local Community Safety Partnerships, including Galway City. Further members will be appointed in October and November with a view to establishing all Safety Partnerships by the end of the year.
The first meeting of a LCSP took place in Wexford on 30 September when members elected their own chair and vice chair. It is anticipated that other Safety Partnerships, including Galway City, whose members I appointed on 8 September, will host their first meetings in the coming weeks.
Safety Partnerships replace and build upon the good work previously undertaken by Joint Policing Committees (JPCs) and will bring together a broader range of relevant stakeholders to address community safety issues in their area. Local Community Safety Partnerships will have a maximum of 30 members and membership will include local councillors; An Garda Síochána; HSE; Tusla; local authority executive; business; education; local residents and community representatives, including representatives of youth, new communities, and the voluntary sector.
Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSP) represent a significant step towards a more collaborative, responsive, and locally driven model of public safety and will play a major role in enhancing public safety alongside An Garda Síochána, residents, businesses and state agencies.
