A family resource centre in Longford town 'is key to the needs of the community'

The first meeting of the Longford County Council for 2025 took place on Wednesday and saw a presentation from the Longford Community Safety Partnership.

The presentation was given by Janine Bartley, the Community Safety Coordinator, and Séamus Boyle, the Chairperson of the LCSP.

Janine began the presentation with a brief explanation of the LCSP and the work they've done since their inception.

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“We are a 32-member partnership, we are one of three national outlets to roll out this new initiative which is building on the incredible work of the Joint Policing Initiative,” she explained.

“There are seven elected members of the County Council in the Partnership team.”

Several organisations collaborate with the Safety Partnership such as an Garda Síochána, the HSE, TUSLA.

There are also multiple community representatives who are members of the LCSP.

“We have representatives from communities all across the County such as victims of crime, and representatives from Community finance.”

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The Partnership now plans to downsize from 32 members to 30 members. They are still waiting for the guidelines from the

Department of Justice before they begin this process, however.

The Longford Community Safety Partnership first began in 2021 and since has won a national award. Since they began 90% of the actions that have been planned have either been completed or are in progress. This plan included 60 Actions in total.

Longford Community Partnership has been evaluated and deemed to be leading the way on the national level, acting as an example for other counties across the country.

Séamus Boyle then began to speak.

He praised Janine's work and her part of the presentation saying, “Janine is an absolute Dynamo.”

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Séamus also praised to work of his predecessor, former Chairperson Martina Maloney.

“We are the template for other counties to look at,” he begins.

“I’ve taken over as chair of a very strong partnership with great members such as county councillors, those from the council, community workers, and state agencies.

“It’s been fantastic to get this opportunity to chair this committee.”

The LCSP has many plans they wish to fulfil. One that was particularly focused on was the development of a family resource centre in Longford Town.

The two representatives of the partnership urged the council to support the development of a Family Resource Centre in the town.

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“It’s key to the needs of the community.

“There’s a lot of need for extra resources for community projects and a resource centre, if you have any input it would be greatly appreciated,” said Séamus.

Cllr Peggy Nolan supported Mr Boyle's request and highlighted the great example that the Longford Community Safety Partnership.

“The Longford County Council agreed to be a pilot (for the Safety Partnership) it was a risk to take but we have never shied away from these decisions.

“It was a great step and we are ready to see the next step.

“A community resource centre is needed in Longford and we need it badly.”