Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is aware, as he has acknowledged it previously, that safety is not just a matter for the Department and members of An Garda Síochána. The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland recognised that community safety is not solely the responsibility of the Garda. Rather, it is a whole-of-government responsibility. This is key to the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill that we will debate tomorrow.

Dublin’s north inner city is one of three pilot locations for the new local community safety partnership. This will build on and replace the existing joint policing committees, bringing together gardaí, local representatives, community organisations, local authorities and other State bodies, to draft a community safety plan tailored to the community's needs. Nobody knows better than those in the local community what it is that they need to keep their community safe and what the issues and concerns are. The Dublin local community safety partnership is due to launch its plan shortly and I commend it on the work it has undertaken already. A number of strands of work are happening. These look at everything from the types of services in Dublin city centre, housing accommodation, crime and other issues.

In addition to the development of the new community safety partnerships, the Garda is working on a number of issues to give it the tools and technology to fight crime, such as improved CCTV and body-worn cameras. This legislation is progressing through the Houses. Significant resources are being invested in An Garda Síochána so that we have ongoing recruitment, which I appreciate is a challenge, as well as investment in equipment and capital. We are implementing a range of youth justice interventions, which I mentioned in response to an earlier question. This is looking at anti-social behaviour and how we can try to get to the root cause and prevent much of the behaviour from escalating.

The community safety innovation fund was established by the Government to reinvest directly back into communities money seized as proceeds of crime. With this money, Dublin City Council has provided for a new community safety warden scheme for the Wolfe Tone Park area and surrounds of the north inner city. The wardens have been hired and are undergoing training. I expect to see their presence in the capital in the next few weeks. I have also provided funding to launch a similar initiative on O'Connell Street at the weekends. A lot is happening and with the plan we will be able to work with the local community to make sure, from the perspective of all Departments, that we are working to implement their actions.

See this speech in context