Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
665. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the community safety partnerships currently in effect and in planning, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45261/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra667. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is satisfied that funding for implementing local Community Safety Plans will be available from his Department, or bodies under its aegis; the mechanisms that exist to ensure same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45297/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 665 and 667 together.
The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which I commenced in April 2025, provides for the establishment of 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships (Safety Partnerships) within each local authority area. 35 of 36 Safety Partnerships have now been formally established under the Act and meetings have already taken place.
I approved the membership of the final Safety Partnership, in Limerick, on 9 June 2026 and the inaugural meeting is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.
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 partnership will be responsible for developing a tailored and prioritised plan specific to that area in conjunction with the community and the relevant public services. Safety Partnerships leverage local and national policies, planning and funding to ensure service delivery is aligned with local needs. Drawing together the collective resources of partners at the table, they will ensure interventions are delivered proactively by the service best placed to deliver it and in a joined up, integrated way with other services.
Each Safety Partnership is also supported by a dedicated Community Safety Coordinator and an Administrator. Both of these permanent positions are hosted within each Local Authority. 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.
I was pleased to secure €8 million in Budget 2026 for the National Office for Community Safety to support the Office in carrying out its functions, including its support for Local Community Partnerships and work on the development of a National Strategy for Improving Community Safety.
While my Department is providing budgetary support to local authorities for the administration and operation of Safety Partnerships, arising from the plans developed, relevant authorities and bodies represented on each Partnership will be responsible for progressing initiatives that fall under their respective remits and will be accountable to the community in fulfilling the agreed actions identified in the Local Community Safety Plan.
In this way, and as evidenced in the three Local Community Safety Partnership pilot areas of Dublin North Inner City, Longford and Waterford, all relevant State authorities and bodies will contribute to the delivery of action plans.
Contact details for Local Community Safety Partnerships are available at this link. justicegovie.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/45c092b0ff534dd48bce257bbe7a7dc0.[]
