Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2021
285. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the role her Department plays in the public participation networks; the number of full-time staff in each by local authority; and the statutory consultation obligations on local authorities in respect of their relationship with the networks. [56335/21]
View answerA Public Participation Network (PPN) is a structure that brings together volunteer-led groups in each local authority area from the Community and Voluntary, Environment, and Social Inclusion sectors. The PPNs are the main link between these groups and their local authorities, and they enable the groups to make their voices heard within formal local decision-making structures. Over 18,000 volunteer-run groups nationwide are currently registered with a PPN.
My Department provides funding and a range of operational supports to PPNs at a national level so that local communities, including marginalised communities, can continue to have an influence on matters that affect them. The PPNs are accountable to my Department for their use of public monies and the activities they undertake on behalf of their communities. The Department also chairs and provides administrative support to the National PPN Advisory Group.
My Department is currently funding and advancing a number of important national initiatives and key recommendations made by PPN stakeholders in the PPNs' Annual Reports to promote their development (e.g. training, awareness-raising, IT support, Visions for Community Wellbeing). Two important initiatives supported by my Department in this regard are the national training course for PPN stakeholders, which is currently underway, and a communications campaign due to be conducted next year. The Department also recently published a PPN Handbook to assist and guide the PPNs and stakeholders in their day to day work.
In 2021, my Department also commissioned an independent 'root and branch' review of PPN structures to make recommendations that will support the ongoing development of PPNs. The final review report is expected to be complete by the end of 2021.
Information on the number of staff in each PPN is enclosed with this response. In total, there were 55.7 whole-time equivalent staff members across the network 31 PPNs in 2020. It is important to note that not all PPN staff are employees of their corresponding Local Authority. PPNs can be ‘hosted’ by a number of bodies who may provide a legal structure for their operation as employers as necessary. While the majority of PPNs are hosted by their Local Authority, others have established independent companies or entered into hosting arrangements with local community/non-profit Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLGs) to act as employers.
Under Section 46 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, each Local Authority must have a local PPN structure, which 'shall seek to provide for participation by the local community'. Circular CVSP 1/2014 specifies that 'the PPN will be the main link through which the local authority connects with the community, voluntary and environmental sectors without prejudice to other consultation processes.'
|
PPN |
Resource Worker (WTE) |
Administrator / Support Worker (WTE) |
Development Worker (WTE) |
|
Carlow |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
0.5 |
0 |
|
Clare |
1.6 |
0.4 |
0 |
|
Cork County |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Dún Laoghaire/ Rathdown |
1 |
0.8 |
0 |
|
Fingal |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Galway City |
0.7 |
0.75 |
1 |
|
Galway County |
0.5 |
1.25 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
Laois |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
0.75 |
1 |
0 |
|
Longford |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Louth |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
Meath |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
0.6 |
1 |
0 |
|
South Dublin |
1 |
0.85 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
1.5 |
0.5 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
TOTAL: 55.7 |
26.65 |
28.05 |
1 |
