Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy again for raising this matter. I want to underline again the Government's steadfast commitment to supporting An Garda Síochána in its critical work at community level via a multi-stranded approach encompassing record funding, targeted policy initiatives and robust legislation. The Department of Justice continues to prioritise the delivery of our new community safety policing via the ongoing progression of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023 through the Oireachtas. The establishment of the new local community safety partnerships in communities is the cornerstone of the new policy. This will embody the multisectoral approach to community safety recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland with enhanced responsibility for wider public services and communities. Three local community safety partnerships are being piloted in north inner city Dublin, Waterford and Longford. The aim of these partnerships is to ensure that local communities and service providers work together to identify the actions needed specific to their local community to ensure that it is a safe place to live, work in and visit through the development of a community safety plan. The intention is to roll out local community safety partnerships nationally following the enactment and commencement of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill. An Garda Síochána will play a vital role in delivering this enhanced approach in community safety in local areas. The Minister, Deputy McEntee has every confidence in the Garda Commissioner and his management team to continue to make operational decisions on the best use of the Garda resources available in the interests of all our communities nationwide.

In closing, I point to the Rural Safety Plan 2022-2024, published by the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne. It is the result of strong collaboration between all relevant stakeholder organisations. The rural safety plan brings together the excellent work already under way in respect of rural safety. The vision of the plan is for people and communities in rural Ireland to feel safe and be safe in their homes, their places of work or their local environments. The rural safety plan is a helpful resource for rural communities and supports broader crime prevention and awareness.

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