On Monday 10th July Minister Helen McEntee announced her intention to extend the term of Drogheda Implementation Board for another year. The Board was established to oversee the implementation of the actions in the Drogheda Report Implementation Plan, which followed the publication of the Scoping Report into Community Safety and Wellbeing in Drogheda. She outlined that the Board would continue until a new Local Community Safety Partnership structure is established. Local Community Safety Partnerships will be established in each local authority area following the enactment of the landmark Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill.
On making the announcement Minister McEntee said:
“The Drogheda Implementation Board has been successful in building a stronger, safer community in Drogheda. It has driven improvements in Drogheda that have a real impact on people’s lives.
“I am now pleased to allow the Board to continue its work until the establishment of a Local Community Safety Partnership for Louth in 2024, following the planned enactment of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill.
“This will ensure the positive momentum built on improving community safety and wellbeing in Drogheda is not lost and will ensure the continued implementation of the medium- and longer-term actions for Drogheda which are so important for the town.”
Michael Keogh, Chair of the Drogheda Implementation Board, said:
“In writing his Scoping Report into Community Safety and Wellbeing in Drogheda Vivien Geiran noted the need for enhanced interagency cooperation. The structures of Drogheda Implementation Board have facilitated greater collaboration across statutory agencies and community organisations.”
“The other key point in the Drogheda Report was the need to provide additional resources for services. In making the announcement Minister McEntee paid a visit to the Red Door Project where she had the opportunity to hear from the staff members whose posts have been resourced by her Department as a direct result of recommendations in the Drogheda Report. It was clear from this conversation how important this investment in resources has been for the Red Door Project, their service users and the community as a whole.
“We are delighted that the structures of Drogheda Implementation Board can now remain in place and continue their good work as we transition to a Local Community Safety Partnership structure. We will also maintain our focus on the delivery of the actions within the Drogheda Report Implementation Plan and the drawing down of additional resources to services in Drogheda.”
“We thank the Minister and the Department of Justice for their ongoing support to Drogheda Implementation Board and their commitment to building stronger, safer communities; and Martin O’Brien CEO of LMETB and his team for their considerable support as our host organisation for the past two years and now into our third year.”
