James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As I noted in my opening remarks, it is paramount we ensure that whatever co-ordination structure is put in place in Drogheda links in with the Government's wider approach to community development and community safety. The Department has developed a policy on community safety which has informed the general scheme of the policy and community safety Bill, which proposes local community safety partnerships to ensure co-ordination on safety issues at a local authority level. In addition, we are working with the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Health to ensure community well-being focused initiatives are complementary not duplicative and to enable stakeholders and service providers to actively participate in an efficient and effective way. We will ensure the strong emphasis on co-ordination in the Drogheda scoping report is reflected in the implementation plan in a way that is sustainable for the community in Drogheda, going forward.

I assure the Senator we are absolutely determined to get this right for Drogheda. The report is very comprehensive and very detailed. However, we want to ensure the implementation plan is not a few short-term, one-hit wonders, if I can put it like that, but is instead sustainable to ensure the core issues in Drogheda are addressed in the medium and long term. The fact the plan will also be brought back to Cabinet shows the seriousness with which the matter is being taken.