Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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2030.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider revising upwards the core funding and support staff funding available to an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.[34517/24]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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Public Participation Networks (PPNs) were established following the enactment of the Local Government Reform Act in 2014. The PPN is the main link through which each local authority connects with the local community sector.

The PPNs' primary function is to provide representation for the community sector in policy-making structures, giving local volunteers a greater say in local government decisions. When community representation is required on local authority committees, such as Strategic Policy Committees or Local Community Development Committees, it must be sourced through the PPN.

Membership of a PPN is open to volunteer-led and not-for-profit groups in each local authority area. Over 20,690 groups nationwide are currently members of a PPN and there are PPNs established in all 31 local authority areas.

My Department, in conjunction with local authorities, provides funding to each of the 31 PPNs for staffing and operational costs. My Department has also funded structural supports to the PPNs at the national level, including training, awareness-raising, HR advisory services and ICT support.

Funding for PPNs increased from €2.45 million in 2022 to €2.95 million in 2024. This increase means that this year my Department will provide up to €85,700 in funding to each of the 31 PPNs around the country in core costs, with local authorities also providing funds to support their PPNs.

In 2021, my Department commissioned an independent ‘root and branch’ review of PPN structures, the report of which was published in June 2022. The research that underpins this report benefitted from the expert input of PPN representatives, local authority staff and other stakeholders close to the PPNs. The report highlighted the many achievements to date and also flagged opportunities for improvements and development.

Following publication of the report, my Department established a working group consisting of representatives of PPNs, local authorities and other senior stakeholders to oversee the development and implementation of a Roadmap of actions based on the report’s recommendations.

Implementation of the PPN Roadmap will commence in Q4 of this year and will, initially, focus on actions flagged as priorities by the sector. I would expect that the issue of future funding levels for all PPNs will be examined as part of this process.

With respect to the level of funding for PPNs in 2025, this will be considered as part of my Department’s broader Budget 2025 deliberations, the outcome of which will be communicated in due course.