The collective voice for the

communities of South Dublin

County

“Over 400 member groups across

South Dublin County”

“The representative, collective voice of

community, environment and social inclusion

groups in South Dublin County”

AnnualNewsletter

Supported by

Re-launchIn November 2015, 150 PPN representatives attended the relaunch of the organisation with a new image and worker to go with it. Guest Speaker on the night, Ruairí McKiernan spoke about how the PPN is an opportunity for community groups to influence council decisions. Ruairí also noted that this could only be achieved if the PPN was developed properly and members participated.

New Website

Our website – www.sdcppn.ie, was and is one of the biggest pieces of work over the past year. The website was built locally with our members in mind at all times. The News section of the website contains updates on our work and events along with important public announcements.

The Helpful Resources section has all the PPN documents, meeting reports from our PPN Representatives, PPN submissions and other useful resources such as forms, training material and South Dublin County Council plans / strategies.

More recently, a PPN Member Directory has been added to the website. This is a searchable directory of all PPN members. Each listing has contact information and a description of the group.

Linkage GroupsLinkage Groups have been meeting over the course of the year, some more regularly than others. Linkage Groups are an opportunity for PPN members to meet their representatives on the various committees. Linkage Groups meet on a need-to-meet basis – where decisions need to be made or a submission on a policy can be developed. These will meet more regularly during 2017.

General Election Hustings

In collaboration with South Dublin County Partnership, the PPN organised two General Election Hustings. One for the Dublin Mid-West constituency which was held in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel and one in the Dublin South West constituency in Tallaght Stadium. Nearly all candidates and over 200 PPN members attended over both nights. Questions were submitted in advance by PPN members. Attendees were also able to make comments and engage with candidates on both evenings.

New PPN RepresentativesElections were held during May and September this year. The PPN expanded the Secretariat from 9 members to 12 members at the May Plenary. The PPN then had requests from the Biodiversity Forum, Heritage Forum, Sports Partnership and Smart Dublin Advisory Network. These elections took place through Linkage Groups, except the Sports Partnership where the election ran online for all members to vote.

Social Inclusion

Community & Voluntary Environment

Pillar Work PlansThe PPN begun the process of developing work plans through identifying key priorities at the May Plenary. Pillar meetings have taken place since then and

these priorities were developed further and actions allocated to them. Some of the actions have already been initiated. The work plans will

be launched at the November Plenary.

Our Work

Consultations and Submissions

Over the course of the year, the past six months in particular, the PPN has developed submissions across a broad range of issues including:l Climate Change Strategyl Clonburris Sustainable

Development Zonel County Development Planl Heritage Planl Biodiversity Planl Transport Reportl Participatory Budgetingl Orlagh House

These submissions were developed by linkage groups, membership feedback and the Secretariat. All PPN submissions are available on our website.

We also co-hosted consultations with South Dublin County Council on the new Community Maps and Local Economic and Community Plan.

Training Programme and

SeminarIn collaboration with South

Dublin County Partnership, the PPN organised a free training programme for PPN members

running throughout September, October and November.

Workshops covered a wide range of topics including Committee Skills, Dealing with Conflict, the Charity Regulator, Project Management, among others.

Over 100 PPN member organisations registered for these training sessions with well over 150 individuals participating –

some doing more than one!

Separately, we organised a Community Finance seminar with Clann Credo and delivered social media training to South Dublin

Age Friendly County participants.

Memorandum of Understanding

In August this year, the PPN and South Dublin County Council negotiated a first of its kind agreement. This agreement, called a memorandum of understanding, outlines how the PPN and SDCC will work together. This agreement, strengthens the voice of communities across South Dublin County in local policies being developed by South Dublin County Council.

IPB Pride of Place Awards

IPB Pride of Place is an all-island competition that acknowledges the work that communities are doing all over the island of Ireland. South Dublin County Council chose to recognise the work of the PPN by nominating the PPN in the category ‘Communities Reaching Out’. The judging for this took place in August with the award ceremony taking place in late November.

The PPN would like to wish fellow nominees in South Dublin County the best of luck in their categories: Dominic’s Community Centre, Glenasmole Community Association, RAMS and ReCreate.

South Dublin County Community VoiceLaunched in August, South Dublin County Community Voice is a Facebook Group page moderated by PPN members. The page is a space for communities to share information and support one another in progressing community activity. The page can be found by searching ‘South Dublin County Community Voice’ on Facebook.

SecretariatThe Secretariat of the PPN is made up of 12 representatives elected by PPN members. The job of the Secretariat is to make sure the PPN is operating on a day to day basis. The Secretariat is responsible for developing the PPN work plan based on priorities identified by the PPN Plenary and the individual Pillars. The PPN does not have a chairperson and although this can be challenging, it encourages a new way of working and collaboration.

Some Secretariat members will come to the end of their term soon. Elections for the Secretariat will take place in Spring 2017. If you are interested in becoming part of the team, get in touch without delay.

Secretariat Members:

Local Community Development CommitteesThe Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) has two main responsibilities:l To develop, implement and monitor a six-year Local Economic and Community Plan for the county.l To oversee the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP). These funds are for projects aimed at

education, training, social development, enterprise and work with marginalised groups and communities.

LCDC members include councillors, representatives of the local partnership company, nominees of the statutory sector such as social protection and education, social partners and nominees from the PPN.

PPN Representatives:

Your PPN Representatives

Alan Hayes Community Pillar,

Palmerstown Neighbourhood Watch

Ed Sadlier Community Pillar,

South Dublin Senior Citizens Club

Enda Creegan Community Pillar, Abbeydale and

Abbeywood Residents Association

Pat Lynch Community Pillar,

Palmerstown Community Council

Justin Byrne Environment Pillar,

An Taisce Dublin west

Ronan Leydon Environment Pillar, Scoil Áine Green

School Committee

Siobhán Butler Environment Pillar,

Greenhills Community Garden

Una Ruddock Environment Pillar,

Eco Ear

Aiden Lloyd Social Inclusion Pillar, The Rights Platform

Bibiana Savin Social Inclusion Pillar,

Sage Support & Advocacy Service for

Older People

Doreen Carpenter Social Inclusion Pillar, Clondalkin Traveller Development Group

Maurice Walsh Social Inclusion Pillar,

Lucan Disability Action Group

Ronan Leydon Community Pillar,

Newlands Residents Association

Stephen Dunne Community Pillar,

Palmerstown Youth & Community Centre

Justin Byrne Environment Pillar,

An Taisce Dublin West

Doreen Carpenter Social Inclusion Pillar, Clondalkin Traveller Development Group

Maurice Walsh Social Inclusion Pillar,

Lucan Disability Action Group

Your PPN Representatives

Your PPN RepresentativesStrategic Policy Committees

Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) provide input in relation to the formulation, development, monitoring and review of council policy in key areas.

Several SPCs exist. They deal with policy in relation to key services, like housing, planning, transportation, the environment, economic development and community and culture.

Councillors make up about two-thirds of the membership of SPCs. The remaining places are filled by representatives nominated by local employers, trade unions, farming, social inclusion, voluntary and environmental interests (the PPN). The idea is that these external members bring additional professional knowledge and expertise to the SPCs.

Policy positions agreed by SPCs are sent to the full council for approval at a council meeting. Many SPC recommendations are either adopted in full by councils, or with minor amendments only.

SPCs generally meet four times a year. This means that on a practical level it can be hard for them to maintain momentum around topical or time-sensitive issues.

Joint Policing CommitteeThe Joint Policing Committee (JPC) aims to develop greater consultation, cooperation and synergy on policing and crime issues between An Garda Síochána, South Dublin County Council, Elected Representatives and the Community Sector (the PPN).

The JPC also reviews levels and patterns of crime and related underlying factors, establishes and coordinates Local Policing Fora.

Your PPN Representatives

Peadar Ó Caomhánaigh Arts, Culture, Gaeilge, Heritage & Libraries SPC, Community Pillar,

Muintir Chrónáin

Tara De BuitléarEconomic Development, Enterprise and Tourism SPC, Community Pillar,

Tallaght Community Council

Connie Kiernan Enviornment, Public Realm and Climate

Change SPC, Environment Pillar, Liffey Valley Park Alliance

Tricia Nolan Housing SPC, Community Pillar, South Dublin County Volunteer

Centre

Jim Lawlor Community Pillar,

Old Bawn Residents Association

Michael Noonan Community Pillar,

Templeogue Neighbourhood Watch

Ann Corrigan

Social Inclusion Pillar, Neart le Chéile

Tara Deacy Social Inclusion Pillar,

Clondalkin Drugs & Alcohol Task Force

Brendan MacPhiarais Housing SPC, Social Inclusion Pillar,

Co-operative Housing

Siobhán Butler Land Use, Transportation and Planning, Environment Pillar,

Greenhills Community Gardens

Gráinne Ní Mhuirí Social & Community SPC,

Community Pillar, Palmerstown Meitheal Tidy Towns

Layton Kelly Social & Community SPC,

Social Inclusion Pillar, New Hope Residential Care

Other Committees and Forums

Your PPN Representatives

PPN Office, Staff and Contact Details

Biodiversity Forum

Gary Tyrell Environment Pillar, Love Tallaght Outdoor Alliance

Heritage Forum

David Saunders Community Pillar, Tallaght

Community Council

Michael Maher Social Inclusion Pillar,

Retired Active Men’s Social

Smart Dublin Advisory Network

Pat Hardiman Community Pillar, TallaghtTourism.ie

South Dublin County Sports

Partnership

Annette Woolley Community Pillar, Jobstown

Community Games

Thomas Walsh Social Inclusion Pillar, West Tallaght Men’s Shed Club

The office of the PPN is a shared space with South Dublin County Volunteer Centre located in County Hall, Tallaght. The PPN also has office space in Clondalkin Civic Offices.

Jamie Moore is the PPN Co-ordinator. Jamie’s role is to support the overall development of the PPN under the guidance of the Secretariat. The PPN hope to secure additional office support in 2017 through the recruitment of a part time administrator.

Always feel free to contact us!Mobile: 086 170 1141 Email: info@sdcppn.ie Website: www.sdcppn.ie

/sdcppn @sdcppn

Address: 4th Floor, Block 3, County Hall, Belgard Square North, Tallaght, Dublin 24, D24 YNN5

Your PPN Representatives

PPN Office, Staff and Contact Details

The National Picture

Every county in Ireland now has a Public Participation Network. Each PPN is at a different stage of development, but most have their Secretariat in place, their Representatives elected and their worker recruited.

PPN National Advisory Group

PPNs are co-funded by County Councils and the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. The PPN National Advisory Group was set up this year to provide the necessary oversight, monitoring and evaluation of the PPNs

Membership consists of representatives from PPN Secretariats, the national Environmental Pillar, Social Justice Ireland, PPN Workers, Local Authority PPN Liaison Officers and PPN Workers. The group is chaired by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

Regional PPN Meetings

Social Justice Ireland organise regional PPN meetings for Secretariat, PPN representatives and PPN Workers. These take place every four months and are used to share progress, work on issues and support PPN volunteers in their roles.

National PPN Workers Network

A network for PPN workers was set up this year and meets quarterly. This network focuses on the experience of workers supporting the development of PPNs. The network highlights challenges and opportunities, feeding these back to the National Advisory Group. Workers also use these meetings to share good practice and receive briefings from relevant agencies such as the Charities Regulatory Authority. This network was set up by South Dublin County PPN Co-ordinator, Jamie Moore.

Did you know?

419Member Groups

273 Community 126 Social Inclusion

20 Environment

23Representatives

on Council Committees

Up 6 this year

The PPN:

The PPN Website:

We Organised:

Up 3 this year

12Secretariat Members

8Written

Submissions this year

11,468emails sent / received

this year(not including newsletters!)

955 per month220 per week

10 Secretariat Meetings

2 Rep

Forums

20 Linkage Groups

4 Pillar

Meetings

2 Plenaries

17 Training Sessions

1 Seminar

3829Unique Visitorsof our website in

8 months

39% go directly to sdcppn.ie

38% come through Google

16% click through from

social media

Most popular sections:

DirectoryTraining

News

66%view our website

on PC

34%view our website on Mobile / Tablet

Average4 pages

per visit

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