Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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25. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the local community care partnership will have an increasing role and input for elected representatives to improve policing in their area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36058/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which I commenced on Wednesday 2 April 2025, provides for the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSP) within each local authority area.

Last week I signed the regulations for these Safety Partnerships and these came into operation on Monday 30 June. 36 Partnerships can now be established in local authority areas across the country, and this will be done as soon as is practicable.

I recognise the importance of participation by elected representatives and we must ensure they remain central to the new partnerships. Seven local authority members will be nominated to their Local Community Safety Partnerships from amongst, and by, their membership and will have a crucial role to play in ensuring the voice of their constituents are represented. All elected representatives will also have further opportunities to engage with their safety partnership, including a closed meeting for members of the Oireachtas and local authority to meet with members of the safety partnership.

Safety Partnerships replace and build upon the good work previously undertaken by Joint Policing Committees and will bring together a broader range of relevant stakeholders to address community safety issues in their area. Local Community Safety Partnerships will have a maximum of 30 members and membership will include local councillors; An Garda Síochána; HSE; Tusla; local authority executive; business; education; local residents and community representatives, including representatives of youth, new communities, and the voluntary sector. Each safety partnership will be led by a voluntary Chair and supported by a full-time coordinator and administrator. The Chair will be elected from amongst, and by, the Partnership membership. The Act also provides for a National Office for Community Safety.

As part of the implementation process, my officials and the National Office team have been engaging with relevant bodies, including local authorities and other stakeholders such as An Garda Síochána, the HSE, and Tusla, to support the establishment of Safety Partnerships. A function of this Office is to provide training, guidance and support to Safety Partnerships. National Office staff are engaging directly with appointed staff, local authorities and other stakeholders to support the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships. The National Office has prepared, in consultation with a variety of stakeholders, a comprehensive guidance document for their establishment and operation.