First Director Of National Office For Community Safety Appointed.

National Office will:

1. Provide training, guidance and other support to the Local Community Safety Partnerships, including assistance in formulating Local Community Safety Strategies and Action Plans.
2. Foster inter-agency collaboration and cross-sectoral coordination.
3. Provide national communication regarding community safety.

Yesterday, Monday September 23rd 2024 it was announced that Ms Gráinne Berrill had been designated as the first Director of the National Office for Community Safety.

This office newly established is expected to be a game changer for community safety in Ireland and will lead on the establishment of the new Community Safety Partnerships, enabling communities to develop their own local community safety plans.

Ms Berrill brings with her a wealth of experience in the public and Community & Voluntary sectors, having held several senior roles, including most recently as the Coordinator of the Drogheda Implementation Board; a cross agency, cross sectoral response to rising concerns regarding crime and fear of crime in the area.

As Director, Ms Berrill will oversee the management and administration of the National Office for Community Safety, which will be established under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, when the Act is commenced by the Minister later this year.

The National Office will play a central role in the rollout of the Government’s ambitious new strategy for improving community safety. Working closely with Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs), the Office will be responsible for providing support, training, and guidance to local authorities to enhance community safety across Ireland. This initiative represents a key component of the Government’s broader efforts to promote inter-agency collaboration and inclusive community engagement at the local level.

The National Office will build on the work of the LCSP pilot partnerships which have been running in Longford, Waterford and Dublin’s North Inner City for the last number of years. Each has developed and published a local community safety plan and through independent monitoring and evaluation has helped inform best practice for this forthcoming national roll out.

The National Office for Community Safety will have the following functions:

• Provide support to public service bodies in the implementation of the national strategy and to foster collaboration between those bodies in the provision of services to improve community safety.
• Prepare annual programmes of work to support the implementation of the national strategy.
• Provide training, guidance and support to LCSPs in their operation and in the performance of their functions.
• Monitor the implementation of the national strategy.
• Monitor the implementation of Local Community Safety Plans (which will be published by each LCSP).
• Conduct or commission research and evaluations relating to any of the functions of the National Office and the operation of LCSPs.
• Promote public awareness of issues affecting community safety and the work of the National Office.
• Provide such information and reports as are requested by the Minister, the Steering Group and the designated committee of the Government.
• Provide such other support as the Steering Group may require to perform its functions.