Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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451. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the criteria used to allocate funds to local authorities under public participation networks; the scheme the funds for this scheme are allocated from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13700/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As was the position in 2015 and 2016, funding of up to €50,000 is being provided by my Department in 2017 under the Local Government Fund (Other Miscellaneous Schemes) to each local authority to support the work of Public Participation Networks (PPNs), on the basis that this is supplemented by a minimum of €30,000 from each local authority’s own resources. This funding is used to meet the costsofemploying a resource worker to support the PPN Secretariat, the provision of office space, equipment and infrastructure, and other essential operating costs. 

Earlier this year, my Department made an early initial payment of €30,000 to each local authority for PPNs from its annual commitment of up to €50,000. This was to ensure PPNs would have certainty of and access to funding from the outset. The balance of my Department’s contribution (up to €20,000) will be addressed later in the year.

Separate funding is also provided by my Department under the Scheme of Supports for the Community and Voluntary Sector for the development of the PPN process and network. This funding is to meet costs including those associated with the National PPN Advisory Group, the roll-out of a vital client database system for PPNs and other general supports.