Written answers

Tuesday, 25 September 2018

Department of Rural and Community Development

Public Participation Networks

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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108. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will report on the engagement of public participation networks here; the way in which the opportunity to partake in public participation networks is advertised amongst communities and local authority areas; if changes to the running of the networks are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38388/18]

Photo of Seán KyneSeán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides funding and support to 31 Public Participation Networks (PPNs) nationwide. This year, funding of up to €50,000 has been provided to each local authority to support the work of the PPNs, supplemented by a minimum of €30,000 per annum from each authority’s own resources. In addition, my Department continues to support the on-going development of the PPNs, through supporting the work of the National Advisory Group, the provision of a data base, and the development of a User Guide.

The principal role of the National PPN Advisory Group is to monitor and evaluate PPNs regularly in line with best practice. Along with its monitoring role, the Advisory Group is also charged with advising and supporting the Department of Rural and Community Development in the further development of PPNs. The 2017 PPN Annual Report makes a number of recommendations which will be considered by the National Advisory Group as part of its ongoing work programme. These include a national publicity campaign to promote awareness and understanding of the PPNs, a review of the PPN Guidelines and structures and extra administrative resources to support the PPN development role.

PPNs have now been established in all local authority areas. Some are more firmly established than others, largely reflecting the timing of setting up arrangements, recruitment of resource workers and the formation of the various groupings required for PPNs to function.

In 2017, almost 13,000 organisations were members of 29 local PPNs surveyed. PPNs have developed communications activities to increase awareness of the organisation right across the community. This is rolled out to members and communities through various communication channels, including e-bulletins, social media, websites, promotional materials, local events and local radio.

PPN's are currently updating their membership database and are using this opportunity to identify and actively target community and voluntary groups that are not currently members of the PPN. There is a strong emphasis on engaging with the most marginalised members of communities that are not currently represented by any group in the PPN structures.

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