1. 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”
Annual
Newsletter
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2. Re-launch
In 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
submissionsandotherusefulresources
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 Groups
Linkage 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 Representatives
Elections 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 Plans
The 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

3. 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 Strategy
l Clonburris Sustainable
Development Zone
l County Development Plan
l Heritage Plan
l Biodiversity Plan
l Transport Report
l Participatory Budgeting
l 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
Seminar
In 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 Voice
Launched 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.

4. Secretariat
The 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 Committees
The 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

5. Strategic 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 Committee
The 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 Buitléar
Economic 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. Did you know?
419
Member Groups
273 Community
126 Social Inclusion
20 Environment
23
Representatives
on Council Committees
Up 6 this year
The PPN:
The PPN Website:
We
Organised:
Up 3 this year
12
Secretariat
Members
8Written
Submissions
this year
11,468
emails sent / received
this year
(not including newsletters!)
955 per month
220 per week
10
Secretariat
Meetings
2
Rep
Forums
20
Linkage
Groups
4
Pillar
Meetings
2
Plenaries
17
Training
Sessions
1
Seminar
3829
Unique Visitors
of our website in
8 months
39%
go directly to sdcppn.ie
38%
come through Google
16%
click through from
social media
Most popular
sections:
Directory
Training
News
66%
view our website
on PC
34%
view our website
on Mobile / Tablet
Average
4 pages
per visit
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