Press release
Minister Canney announces additional funding to support PPNs
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Mr. Sean Canney TD, today (Wednesday) announced the provision of additional funding of €800,000 to support the ongoing development of Public Participation Networks (PPNs) in 2019.
PPNs were established in all local authority areas following the enactment of the Local Government Reform Act 2014. Their main function is to facilitate and enable the local community to interact with local government and other relevant legislation for the good of their communities.
Minister Canney said:
“I am very pleased to see that PPNs are going from strength to strength. The 2017 Annual Report showed a 21% increase in PPN members to 12,800 and this growth trend has continued in 2018.
“I am fully committed to supporting the ongoing development of PPNs. I am therefore very pleased to be in a position to announce this additional funding which is to be used for the engagement of Support Workers by each PPN in 2019 to assist the Resource Workers. This will provide the Resource Workers with an increased opportunity to focus on growing and developing the PPN and its members so that they achieve the full potential for the benefit of local communities and democracy.”
Local authorities have also been requested to make an additional financial contribution towards the cost of this PPN Support Worker. This partnership funding model, with the Department of Rural and Community Development and local authorities working together to support PPNs, will ensure that PPNs have the necessary resources to reach their full potential resulting in more effective engagement by citizens in the operation of local government.
2019 will be an exciting year for PPNs with the forthcoming local elections in May, followed by the formation of new local authority committees which include PPN representatives.