James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this very important matter concerning Drogheda. The Scoping Report into Community Safety and Well-being in Drogheda was commissioned by the Minister, Deputy McEntee, in 2020 following a number of violent incidents in Drogheda. The purpose of the scoping report was to gather and assess information relating to ongoing challenges and community needs in Drogheda, and to identify actions to support communities and connect relevant services. Mr. Vivian Geiran, a former director of the Probation Service, was engaged to prepare the report, which makes over 70 recommendations on short- and long-term responses to challenges the community faces, including around crime prevention, youth services, drug addiction, education, infrastructure and community development. The recommendations highlight the need for improved interagency co-operation in the administration and delivery of State services in Drogheda, as well as the need to resource public services or provide additional services in certain areas in particular.

The scoping report was approved for publication by the Government on 13 March 2021 and published on 26 March. Briefings were organised by the Minister, Deputy McEntee, the following week for community groups and services that had met with Mr. Geiran, as well as for Deputies, Senators and councillors from County Louth. The implementation plan for the key recommendations arising from the report is currently being developed and will identify the relevant stakeholders for each recommendation and outline next steps for engagement. Engagement with all relevant Departments, agencies and the Louth County Council is ongoing to ensure a comprehensive implementation plan. For example, early action has been taken to engage with the Department of Education on the provision of additional supports to the three schools identified in the report. Engagement has taken place at official level and the Department of Education is positive about providing additional supports to schools in the area, including those identified in the report. Additionally, engagement has taken place with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to addressing the impact on Drogheda of the county boundaries of counties Louth and Meath. My officials are also in direct contact with Red Door, the HSE, the Department of Health and the local drugs and alcohol task force to advance the recommendations around funding to addiction-related support services in the community. This engagement is necessary to ensure funding is maximised and to avoid duplication in the delivery of services.

With regard to the co-ordination mechanism proposed by Mr. Geiran in his report, the Department is currently in discussions with relevant Departments and agencies, as well as Louth County Council, to develop a proposal for a co-ordination structure that will enable engaged participation from relevant stakeholders while being in line with the Government's wider approach to community safety and community development. This engagement will continue with a view to finalising the implementation plan in the coming weeks for submission to Cabinet, with publication occurring shortly thereafter.