Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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546. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of local community safety partnerships in both Kilkenny and Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15309/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which will come into force this week, provides for the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) which will operate at each local authority level.

LCSPs will replace and build upon the good work of the Joint Policing Committees, supplementing this by bringing together a broader range of relevant stakeholders including local councillors, An Garda Síochána, local residents, community representatives, business and education representatives, and a range of statutory agencies including the HSE, Tusla and each local authority.

The objective is to bring the relevant bodies, including the Gardaí, together with communities in a collaborative manner, by focusing on the concerns identified and prioritised by local people.

Each newly established LCSP will be required to develop and implement its own tailored community safety plan and will take a strategic approach to their work so that issues arising can be dealt with in a coordinated manner; addressed collectively by relevant service providers in partnership with the community.

A total of 36 Partnerships will be established, based in each local authority area. Each LCSP will be supported by a fulltime coordinator and fulltime administrator resourced by the Department of Justice and will be led by a voluntary Chair.

The Act also provides for a National Office for Community Safety. A function of this Office is to provide training, guidance and support to the Partnerships. In preparation for the establishment of the National Office a number of staff, including a Director Designate, have been appointed. These staff are engaging directly with local authorities and other stakeholders to support the establishment of the Partnerships.

I intend to commence the Act on 2 April 2025.