Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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38. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the replacement for joint policing committees will come into place, that is, local community care partnerships, nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36057/25]

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.

Community Safety means Government Departments, state agencies, community organisations and the public working together alongside An Garda Síochána with the common aim of making Ireland safer. While An Garda Síochána will always be available to prevent and respond to crime, they cannot be expected to enhance community safety alone, it must be a collective and collaborative approach. Local Community Safety Partnerships will help prioritise the voice of local people in identifying and addressing community safety issues in their own area.

Local Community Safety Partnerships are the cornerstone of our approach to community safety and so it's vital we get them up and running so that they can begin work on the development of a community safety plan for their respective areas. 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. 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.

Each newly established Local Community Safety Partnership is required to develop and implement its own tailored community safety plan. The Safety Partnerships will take a strategic approach to their work so that issues arising can be dealt with in a coordinated manner and addressed collectively by relevant service providers in partnership with the community. Each safety partnership will have the ability to consider the local landscape as it relates to the services already being provided, and those that are needed.

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 LCSPs.

National Office staff are engaging directly with appointed staff, local authorities and other stakeholders to support 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.