Ireland unveils first national community safety strategy
Ireland has introduced its inaugural national strategy to enhance community safety through prevention, collaboration, and active participation. Developed after extensive consultation with over 8,000 people, the framework aims to foster safer, more resilient communities nationwide between 2026 and 2030.
A comprehensive framework for safety
The strategy, titled An Enabling Framework for Community Safety - National Strategy for Improving Community Safety 2026-2030, was unveiled by Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan. It recognises that community safety extends beyond crime prevention, encompassing a broad range of social, economic, and environmental influences.
Developed by the National Office for Community Safety after extensive engagement with over 8,000 members of the public, the strategy promotes collaboration among government, public services, and communities. It is founded on five core principles and supported by five key enablers that guide coordinated action at both local and national levels.
Minister O’Callaghan emphasised the strategy's significance, stating, “Community safety means wellbeing, inclusion, belonging, resilience, and trust. It depends on people feeling connected to their communities and confident that their concerns will be addressed.” He highlighted the shift from viewing safety solely as a policing issue to recognising the multifaceted factors influencing it.
Local partnerships and ongoing engagement
The strategy complements the community safety infrastructure established under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships across Ireland. These partnerships translate national priorities into local action, ensuring communities play a central role in enhancing safety.
Gráinne Berrill, Director of the National Office for Community Safety, remarked, “Community safety is strongest when shaped by local knowledge and active community participation. This strategy provides a framework to unite government, public services, civil society, and communities to develop practical solutions.”
Implementation will be guided by annual work programmes and sustained collaboration involving government departments, public sector bodies, civil society organisations, and communities.
The full text of An Enabling Framework for Community Safety - National Strategy for Improving Community Safety 2026-2030 is accessible at www.gov.ie/communitysafety.