Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan has announced significant progress in the rollout of Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) across Ireland. Members have been appointed to 34 Safety Partnerships, with 31 having held their inaugural meetings and elected their Chair and Vice Chair. The remaining partnerships are expected to be established by the end of February. Each partnership will develop and implement a tailored community safety plan, bringing together local representatives, community groups, and state agencies to address specific safety needs within their communities.
Community Safety Partnerships will collaborate closely with An Garda Síochána, local residents, elected representatives, businesses, voluntary organizations, and other state agencies. A total of 36 partnerships will operate, with up to 30 members in each, supported by the National Office for Community Safety and local staff teams. This infrastructure aims to provide strategic guidance and assist partnerships in addressing community safety issues effectively.
The National Office for Community Safety is leading the development of the first National Strategy for Improving Community Safety, accompanied by a public survey open from 5 February to 27 February 2026. Minister O’Callaghan emphasized that the strategy represents a whole-of-government approach to improving safety nationwide and encouraged public participation to ensure community concerns are reflected.
The Local Community Safety Partnerships build on the foundation of the Joint Policing Committees, incorporating a broader range of members, including local councillors, local authority officials, An Garda Síochána, HSE and Tusla representatives, youth groups, minority communities, business, and education representatives. By fostering multi-agency collaboration and community engagement, the partnerships aim to ensure coordinated and responsive action to safety issues across Ireland.
