Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

70. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to address the need to resource and future proof the Public Participation Network by ensuring adequate core funding and staff resourcing to meet their workload; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39803/24]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A Public Participation Network (PPN) provides representation for the community sector in Local Authority policymaking structures, giving local volunteers a greater say in local government decisions which affect their own communities.

Since their inception, the 31 PPNs have grown exponentially. There are now almost 21,000 PPN member organisations across the country representing the Community and Voluntary, Environment, and Social Inclusion sectors.

The core funding provided by my Department for PPNs has also grown over the years. Between 2015 and 2018, PPNs could claim up to €50,000 each. In 2019, that increased by €25,700. In 2023, I secured a further funding increase of €10,000 (+13%) per PPN and maintained that increase in Budget 2024. This brought the full allocation of funding from DRCD for each PPN to €85,700. Local Authorities also contribute a minimum of €35,000 for their PPNs each year.

In addition to funding increases, and to better understand the impact of the growth of PPNs, my Department undertook a comprehensive review of the PPN structures. The report of this structural review was published in 2022. The report highlighted the PPNs’ many achievements to date and also identified opportunities to further support their long-term sustainability. The recommendations from the review, and additional actions identified by the sector, have been included in a new PPN Roadmap, implementation of which will commence this year.

Among the 38 Roadmap actions agreed by the Working Group, two relate specifically to core funding. The remaining 36 actions are concerned with governance, communications, co-ordination, and training and support needs of volunteers and staff.

I would like to reaffirm that I, and my Department remain committed to supporting PPNs so that our local communities can continue to participate in local decision making processes. Funding allocations for PPNs in 2025 are currently being finalised within my Department and I hope to make an announcement in that regard shortly.