Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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1336. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when he expects the new local community safety partnership in Limerick to be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59530/25]

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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1337. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the expected membership of the new local community safety partnership in Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59531/25]

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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1338. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason members of the Oireachtas will not be able to be members of the new local community safety partnership which are being set up across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59532/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1336 to 1338, inclusive, together.

The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which I commenced on 2 April last, provides for the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSP) within each local authority area.

The regulations for these Safety Partnerships came into operation on 30 June. A total of 36 Partnerships are in the process of being established in local authority areas across the country, including Limerick.

Members have now been appointed to eight Local Community Safety Partnerships.

The first meeting of a Local Community Safety Partnership took place in Wexford on 30 September when members elected their own chair and vice chair. I was very pleased to attend the first meeting in Galway on Monday last. Other partnerships have held their first meetings and others will do so in the coming weeks. Further members will be appointed to Safety Partnerships in November and December with a view to establishing all Safety Partnerships as soon as is practicable.

Safety Partnerships replace and build upon the good work previously undertaken by Joint Policing Committees (JPCs) 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; the 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.

Appointments to Local Community Safety Partnerships are made with regard to the overall balance of representation and the need to ensure that the partnerships remain locally grounded, community-driven and supported by members with relevant expertise. The composition of each Safety Partnership aims to strike a fair balance between elected representatives, community voices, and key agencies whose cooperation is essential to improving safety outcomes.

I recognise the importance of participation by elected representatives and the need to 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 is represented. This ensures that local democratic input remains a core element of the new arrangements, while also allowing for wider community representation and expertise.

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.