Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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Public Participation Networks (PPNs) were established under the Local Government Reform Act of 2014. They provide representation for the community sector in local policymaking, giving local groups a greater say in local government decisions which affect their communities. Membership of a PPN is open to all volunteer-led/not-for-profit groups in a local authority area, and almost 20,000 groups nationwide are currently members of a PPN.

My Department has overall responsibility for the funding, governance oversight and development of the network of 31 PPNs in place across the country. It provides a range of supports to PPNs and strives to ensure best practice is maintained and supported.

Funding for PPNs increased from €2.45 million in 2022 to €2.95 million in 2024. This means that this year, my Department will provide up to €85,700 in funding to each of the 31 PPNs around the country.

In addition, my Department funds a number of structural supports to assist the ongoing development of the PPNs. For example, last year my Department funded and coordinated a campaign to increase awareness of PPNs nationally and locally, which was developed in consultation with PPN stakeholders. The campaign ran from 21^st February to 31^st March 2023, with radio and social media ads, and articles published in a range of national and regional media. The campaign also included the development and delivery of tailored communications training, and a communications toolkit and best practice guide which were shared with all 31 PPNs.

My Department also funds the annual national PPN conference each year, a retreat for PPN staff members, an advisory service for operational questions related to HR and governance, IT support services, and a range of training supports for PPNs and their stakeholders.

Following the publication of the PPN Structural Review Report in June 2022, my Department established a Working Group made up of a range of PPN stakeholders to oversee the development and implementation of a Roadmap of future actions, based on the review report and feedback received on it from stakeholders. A draft Roadmap has been agreed by the Working Group, and a consultation was held with the wider PPN stakeholder groups on the document. Once finalised,

it is anticipated that the implementation of Roadmap actions will begin this year. Given the growth and change that has occurred since PPNs were established, the Roadmap will be an important step to enabling PPNs to continue to thrive.

In conclusion, my Department is committed to continuing to support PPNs both financially and structurally so that local communities can continue to contribute to local government policy making.