Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)

The local community safety partnerships build on and replace the existing joint policing committees, bringing together gardaí, local representatives, community organisations and representatives of local authorities and other State bodies to draft a community safety plan tailored to community needs. No one knows better what is needed by a community than those who live in it. The Minister signed the regulations to establish the safety partnerships and they came into operation on Monday, 30 June. This paves the way for a total of 36 partnerships to be established across the country, with partnerships in each local authority administrative area. There will be one in each of the Dublin City Council administrative areas, with five in total.

I am not sure on the ground if that has come to realisation yet. That could be an opportunity to try to crack down on this. The Deputy eloquently highlighted the importance of these amenities. I imagine the Dublin city councillors, parents and community activists involved in getting toilet facilities or playgrounds up and running must be disheartened and gutted to see this happen. It is easier said than done to stop it. I question the mindset of anybody who goes out with the intention of targeting an amenity like this. In the towns in my constituency, if a playground was closed for whatever reason, the community would feel such a loss especially families. We are getting bigger towns and bigger urban areas. They need these types of amenities. I will reflect and report back the Deputy's comments to the Minister for justice.

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