The Policing and Community Safety Authority (PCSA) brought community organisations, support agencies and local authorities together in Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim as part of its public consultation on policing priorities.
Helen Hall, CEO of PCSA, told RTÉ News the consultation will allow the public to have their say on policing priorities.
"We establish the priorities for An Garda Síochána and we're asking the public to have their say. Resources are limited in everything in life. The consultation gives the public the opportunity to say where they believe the resources should be distributed".
Pamela Rowley from the Irish Countrywomen's Association told RTÉ News she believes "more Gardaí are needed on the street – especially in the countryside".
Brendan Golden, the Connacht IFA Regional Chairman said many communities in the west don’t have huge [policing] problems on a day-to-day basis, however "it is important that people know gardaí are available when needed".
James Wilson Higgins from Positive Age said one of his main concerns is the sale of vaping to young teenagers and added it should be addressed as a priority.
"It’s giving them an opportunity to progress from an e-cigarette to a cigarette to possibly smoking cannabis or even going further and that may ruin their lives".
Janine Bartley from Longford Local Community Safety Partnership said it is important that people who are victims of drugs related intimidation and violence are adequately supported.
"It’s great to see the launch of the awareness campaign for drugs related intimidation and violence engagement programme, which is being led out by drug and alcohol task forces across the country, with the support of the HSE and An Garda Síochána today".
Ms Hall said community safety will be pivotal in the PCSA’s new duties. She hopes to see a shift towards a multi-agency approach in policing.
"Gardaí do a really difficult job. They’re often left dealing with mental health issues and issues of child protection in the middle of the night.
"This isn’t their primary role, but because they are the only ones there - they deal with it. They deal with it very well and as best as they can.
"We should be moving towards a multiagency approach and that’s not just in the middle of the night. It is around crime prevention".
Ms Hall believes investment in education, youth services and other areas can help in crime prevention.
"We’re not going to police our way out and we’re not going to police our way into community safety – it needs to be much broader," she concluded.
Earlier, Chairperson of the PCSA Elaine Byrne said the determination of policing priorities for An Garda Síochána is an important element of the PCSA's work.
"The policing priorities, when determined, provide clarity on the key areas that require particular attention to improve policing services to the public."
She said the priorities will also highlight the areas within which PCSA oversight will focus and set the context for the Garda Commissioner’s development of An Garda Síochána’s Strategic Plan and Annual Service Plan.
Established last month, the PCSA is the successor organisation to the Policing Authority. The role of the PCSA is to independently oversee and assess the performance of An Garda Síochána in relation to policing services.
It has assumed most of the existing functions of the Policing Authority, as well as an additional function in community safety.
As part of its public consultation on the policing priorities for An Garda Síochána for 2026-2028, the organisation has set up a 10-minute online questionnaire that allows the public to allocate 'points’ to the areas of policing they consider a priority.
The PCSA consultation runs until 8 June and it is open to anyone over 16 years of age.
The organisation will also hold in-person public consultations. The first of which will take place in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, this morning.
Ms Byrne said the public consultation offers an opportunity for people to have their say on what they believe An Garda Síochána should prioritise.
"It is important that communities and individuals have an opportunity to input into the development of the priorities," she said.
"Including more voices and perspectives will help significantly to determine what policing best delivers a sense of safety and security in the community," Ms Byrne added.
The PCSA met in private with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris recently, where they discussed the development of the policing priorities, An Garda Síochána’s Annual Service Plan and the protection of children in the State, amongst other matters.
