Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development, Charities and Integration, Joe O’Brien, sent a message of support and encouragement to the sixth National Public Participation Network Conference held at the Strand Hotel in Limerick this week.
Addressing the delegates via a pre-recorded video message, Minister O’Brien spoke about increased funding for PPNs he secured in Budget 2025:
“As we look to the next 10 years of PPNs, I am pleased to announce that I have secured additional funding for PPNs in Budget 2025. I have directed that all of this additional funding will be provided directly to PPNs.”
The two-day conference event (Thursday 17th and Friday 18th) was hosted by Limerick Public Participation Network, in conjunction with Limerick County Council, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the National PPN Advisory Group.
It was attended by a wide range of PPN stakeholders, including volunteer representatives from PPNs across the country, local authority officials, and elected representatives.
Opening the conference, Bairbre Nic Aongusa, Assistant Secretary General at the Department of Rural and Community Development, spoke about the contribution PPNs have made:
“Collaboration is a core characteristic of PPNs, a value that is particularly needed in a time when bad actors would divide communities and stifle discussion. PPNs remind us that a healthy democracy thrives on robust debate and strong opinions aired in good faith with the honest intention of making things better for all.”
The conference, which was attended by approximately 200 delegates and had a varied and interesting agenda of workshops and presentations.
These included a workshop celebrating ‘Ten years of PPNs’, as well as discussions on collaboration between PPNs and local authorities, and innovative projects undertaken by Offaly, Tipperary and Limerick PPNs.
The conference also included site trips to a number of locations around Limerick, where delegates met with local community organisations that are involved in and empowered by Limerick PPN.
The Minister also thanked PPNs for their sterling work, and for the extremely valuable contributions they make in their respective counties.
He said: “I want to commend and congratulate everyone involved in the network of 31 PPNs across the country – the member groups, the volunteers, the Secretariats and the staff. Your dedication and hard work is truly admirable.”
About PPNs
Public Participation Networks are designed to identify and respond to the needs and priorities of their communities. Each of Ireland’s 31 local authority areas has a PPN.
A PPN is a network for community and voluntary, social inclusion and environmental groups in each local authority area. PPNs allow local authorities to connect with volunteer-run groups around the country. As a result, PPNs provide a mechanism by which citizens can have a greater say in local government decisions that affect their own communities.
Membership of a PPN is open to all volunteer-led/not-for-profit groups in a local authority area. Almost 21,000 community groups nationwide are currently members of a PPN.
