Laois groups urged to join Laois Public Participation Network

The people of Laois are being invited to join the Laois Public Participation Network (PPN) as part of a new national campaign to raise awareness of the Networks which operate right around Ireland.

The call-out comes as a new national brand identity and awareness campaign for Public Participation Networks was launched by Minister for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien in Dublin this week.

Laois PPN is one of 31 PPNs that have been established in all local authority areas in the State, and its membership stands at 667 organisations. Nationally, more than 18,000 community and voluntary groups are currently members of a PPN.

Public Participation Networks allow local authorities to connect with community groups around their county. PPNs give people a greater say in local government decisions that affect their communities.

Dan Bergin, Laois PPN Resource Worker, said: “Laois PPN was established in March 2015 and is the main link through which the Local Authority connects with the Community and Voluntary, Social Inclusion and Environmental groups within County Laois. The PPN facilitates groups to nominate PPN representatives to decision and policy making bodies in the county such as the LCDC, SPCs and the JPC.

 “Laois PPN in collaboration with our long-term partners Laois County Council hosted the first in person Community & Voluntary Awards since pre Covid celebrating the fantastic work of Community Groups and their volunteers who enhance the quality of life of people in our communities.

“Laois PPN support PPN Member groups through a variety of well attended training and capacity building events and as an information hub on funding opportunities and public consultations,” said Mr Bergin.

John Mulholland, Chief Executive of Laois County Council said: “The PPN structures offer Local Authorities a way to collaborate directly with volunteer community groups, who do so much for their localities.

“PPNs play an important role in developing our key policies and strategies, and each Local Authority provides considerable support to their local PPNs in recognition of this.

“This campaign will boost the profiles of PPNs, which is well-deserved in light of their work,” he said.

Speaking at the launch of the PPNs’ new national brand identity and awareness campaign, Minister O’Brien encouraged volunteer-led group around the country, and particularly young people, to join their local PPN. He said: “Public Participation Networks give communities across Ireland a voice in local decision-making and bring valuable on-the-ground, experience and expertise into local and national policy development.

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“The strength and impact of PPNs can be seen in how they represented volunteers and community groups within the responses to Covid-19, working with local authorities and state agencies.

“Through local action, PPNs also contribute to policymaking at national level, such as the development of the Climate Action Plan 2021, when PPNs hosted and facilitated important local community conversations around the country.”

For further information, visit the website of Laois PPN: www.laoisppn.ie/

ABOUT PPNs

PPNs were established under the Local Government Reform Act 2014, to connect with volunteer-run groups around the country. They provide a mechanism by which citizens can have a greater say in local government decisions that affect their own communities.

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.

PPNs provide the voice of the community for local authority boards and committees. Where a local authority requires a representative from the community to sit on their boards or committees such as Strategic Policy Committees or Local Development (LCDCs), they must source this representative from the PPN. PPNs work to enable the community to be represented in decision-making processes that impact citizens through representation on council committees, consultation processes, policy submissions and more.