The Galway County Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) was delighted to participate in the first national gathering of LCSP Coordinators, Chairs and Administrators, hosted by the National Office for Community Safety at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration on 5 February 2026. Members of the Galway County LCSP team had the pleasure of meeting Minister Jim O’Callaghan T.D., who addressed the importance of strengthening community‑centred approaches to safety and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to a whole‑of‑government, whole‑of‑society model.
The event provided a valuable opportunity for learning, networking, and shaping the next phase of the national community safety framework. Sessions included updates on policy development, lived‑experience reflections from LCSP Chairs, and progress reports from the National Office.
Gráinne Berrill, Director of National Office for Community Safety presented on several core themes that will guide the development of Ireland’s first National Strategy for Improving Community Safety:
- Community Safety Is Broader Than Policing
The National Strategy stresses that community safety is about people being safe and feeling safe and cannot rest solely with An Garda Síochána. A coordinated approach between public services, community organisations and residents is essential. - A Whole‑of‑Government Commitment
The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 creates a statutory basis for shared responsibility and establishes the national infrastructure underpinning LCSPs, the National Office for Community Safety and the National Community Safety Steering Group. - Focus on Collaboration, Prevention and Local Solutions
Community safety is defined as proactive, partnership‑driven and responsive to local needs, with an emphasis on early intervention and shared problem‑solving.
These themes align strongly with the work of Galway County LCSP and our commitment to inclusive, evidence‑based community engagement.
Galway County LCSP invite you to have your say by completing the National Community Safety Survey
The National Office for Community Safety has now launched its public survey to inform the development of the National Strategy.
We strongly encourage all residents, community groups and stakeholders in Galway County to take part.
👉 Complete the survey here:
https://www.gov.ie/communitysafety (direct survey link available on the page)
Your views will help ensure that the strategy reflects the realities, priorities and aspirations of communities across Ireland.