New community-safety bodies can begin work
The Minister for Justice has cleared the way for new Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) to begin operating across the country.
The partnerships, which replace Joint Policing Committees (JPCs), will be set up in 36 local-authority areas, with up to 30 members in each.
The regulations, which come into effect today (30 June), set out how the partnerships will operate.
The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, commenced on 2 April 2025, provided for the partnerships, subject to regulations being signed by the minister.
Broader range of members
They are intended to be a forum for State agencies and local community representatives to work together to improve community safety.
The new partnerships will include a broader range of members than JPCs. Mandatory members will include local councillors, local-authority officials, gardaí, representatives from the HSE, and the Child and Family Agency Tusla.
Residents, members representing youth groups, the older population, new and minority groups, business, and education representatives will also be included.
Tailored plans
Each LCSP can hold as many meetings as necessary, but they must hold at least six meetings a year.
Members of the public must be allowed to attend one of those meetings, while Oireachtas members and all locally elected public representatives will have opportunities to engage by attending at least one LCSP meeting.
Each LCSP will be led by a voluntary chair and vice-chair, elected from the membership, and will be supported by a co-ordinator and an administrator.
Each partnership will be required to develop and implement its own tailored community-safety plan.
“While Ireland is generally regarded as a safe country with relatively low crime rates, some communities may experience a different reality,” said Minister Jim O’Callaghan.
“We need the structures in place at a local level so longer-term solutions that are not focused solely on policing can be put in place. Public lighting, waste collection, public spaces, the location of services, can all contribute to feelings of safety in our towns,” he added.