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Report shows 15,600 voluntary groups registered with the Public Participation Network in 2019

The Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Mr. Joe O’Brien TD, today (19^th November 2020) launched the 2019 Annual Report of the Public Participation Networks.

This is the fourth Annual Report on the Public Participation Networks (PPNs), which were established to facilitate active citizen participation in policymaking at local authority level. The report provides a positive reflection of the variety of work done as well as showing continued growth throughout the country.

Speaking about the launch of the annual report Minister O’Brien said:

“This report shows that PPNs are having the desired impact and have achieved a huge amount in the short space of time since they were founded in 2014. The report also shows that there were 15,599 voluntary groups registered with the Network in 2019. At a national level, 928 PPN representatives gave volunteer-led groups a voice on 424 local authority boards or committees. This clearly demonstrates that PPNs are growing in strength.”

Regarding the increase in membership, Minister O’Brien added:

“These figures are a great indicator of the vibrancy and energy of the community and voluntary sector in Ireland, especially at a local level, and the role played by PPNs in local policy making and networking.”

PPNs are continuing to have a positive relationship with local authorities and are collaborating on a number of projects. For example, they are raising awareness of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and influencing policy to assist in achieving them at a local level.

Other PPNs are using their member groups’ experience to help local authorities improve accessibility for people with disabilities and dementia and to help people from marginalised communities to sit on local authority boards. The 2019 Annual Report highlights further examples of PPN activities and impacts.

Minister O’Brien said:

“These examples demonstrate the initiative and drive of PPN members, with activities ranging from contributing to local Strategic Policy Committees to holding events on matters such as community safety, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and rural policy. Several PPNs consulted with and welcomed asylum seekers, while others focussed on making public spaces accessible to people with disabilities. And this is only a small sample of the important ways in which they contribute to their localities.”

PPNs thrive on the principle of community engagement. They regularly hold workshops and public consultations to facilitate this engagement which is making a tangible difference and strengthening communities around the country.

The commitment displayed by the PPN resource workers, support workers, secretariat members and the member groups is visible throughout the report and their value can be seen in the increased level of citizen participation.

In conclusion, the Minister also acknowledged the work that PPNs carried out during the Covid-19 outbreak:

“PPNs have been pivotal in organising the community response and ensuring that the needs of vulnerable people were met during this period of uncertainty. I am grateful for their work in this area and I am committed to make sure that the Public Participation Network in this country goes from strength to strength.”

The report can be downloaded here.

Longford County Council is currently preparing a Draft County Development Plan 2021-2027 and is inviting submissions.

The Draft Longford County Development Plan 2021-2027 is currently available for public inspection from via the Council’s website at the following link:

https://www.longfordcoco.ie/services/planning/preparation-of-longford-cdp-2021-2027/longford-county-development-plan-2021-2027.html

The Plan and all associated documents will also be available for public inspection in hard copy format during normal opening hours (subject to Covid-19 restrictions and excluding public holidays) at the following locations:

• Planning Department, Longford County Council Offices, Áras an Chontae, Great Water Street, Longford, N39 NH56.
• All County Longford Branch Libraries – Longford, Ballymahon, Drumlish, Edgeworthstown, Granard and Lanesborough Libraries (please check locally for opening hours).

These physical display locations are subject to Covid-19 pandemic restriction requirements.  This website will be kept updated of any changes.

In this regard further to the publication of the public notice in the Longford Leader dated Friday 23rd October 2020, the libraries will now be closed until 1st December 2020.  An appointment will be required to view the documents at the Planning Department by either email at planning@longfordcoco.ie  or telephone on (043) 3343323.

Submissions to the Draft County Development Plan 2021-2027 may be made by members up to 4pm on Monday 18^th January 2021 or alternatively you may send your submission to PPN@longfordcoco.ie or scronogue@longfordcoco.ie and your submission will then be included as part of the PPN submission.

Submissions/observations can be made as follows:

Online:  www.longfordcoco.ie/cdp

Email:  cdp@longfordcoco.ie

Hard copy:  Administrative Officer, Draft County Development Plan, Forward Planning Unit, Longford County Council, Áras An Chontae, Great Water Street, Longford, N39 NH56.

Call :  (043) 3344255 or Freephone: 1800 300 122  (9am to 5pm – Monday to Friday)

or email covidsupport@longfordcoco.ie

Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2020

On 12 October 2020 the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys announced details of the projects that have been approved for funding under the third round of the enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2020 that supports towns and villages to respond and adapt to COVID-19. This funding will enable towns and villages to implement immediate measures that will encourage people into towns and villages to shop and socialise, while adhering to public health guidelines. The funding is facilitated through the Government’s July Stimulus package. This funding includes 38 large towns with populations in excess of 10,000 which have not previously been funded through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and we are delighted that Longford town has been awarded €40,000 as part of this funding.

Longford County Council Regeneration department are happy to announce that a total of €116,790 has been awarded to the county under round three of the Scheme for the following towns and villages. This follows on from €104,040 awarded on 3 August 2020 under round one and €86,843 awarded on 11 September 2020 under round two of the Towns & Villages Scheme 2020.

Further information on

https://www.longfordcoco.ie/services/regeneration/

Heather Humphreys, Minister for Rural and Community Development has announced details of the projects that have been approved for funding under the second round of the enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme that supports towns and villages to respond and adapt to COVID-19. The focus of the funding is on measures and interventions that help towns and villages to adapt to social distancing requirements and to provide safe environments that encourage people into towns and villages to shop and socialise. Longford County Council Regeneration department are happy to announce that the following towns and villages have received funding.

The Department of Rural and Community Development in partnership with local authority Broadband Officers (BBOs) and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE), has identified approximately 300 sites around the country to act as Broadband Connection Points (BCPs).

In advance of homes and businesses receiving future-proofed broadband directly to their door, a network of Broadband Connection Points will provide vital high-speed broadband access at locations within the amber area of the National Broadband plan.

Broadband Connection Points (or BCPs) are public locations which have been selected to receive 150Mb high-speed broadband connectivity in the first year (2020) of the National Broadband Plan.

BCP locations at schools are for educational access only, all other BCP’s will provide free public access for high-speed broadband connectivity. People living in the general area will then be able to access this broadband for their necessary requirements.

This project is well underway and NBI have surveyed all BCP locations in Longford.  The first of these will open in Longford in the next month or two.

Dept. Rural and Community Dev Press Release

Ministers Humphreys, Donnelly and O’Brien announce third tranche of COVID-19 Stability Funding

• €11 million support package to benefit 209 organisations
• Funding aimed at providing immediate assistance to community and voluntary groups, charities and social enterprises
• Cash injections for organisations that provide critical services to those most vulnerable in society

Some 209 organisations across the country are to benefit from €11 million worth of funding under the Covid-19 Stability Fund.

The funding was announced today by Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development and the Islands, Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD.

The funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund is designed to support community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises that are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Once-off cash injections of between €2,000 and €200,000 are being awarded to qualifying organisations that provide critical services to those most vulnerable in society.

This will help with short term cash flow issues caused by the COVID-19 crisis.

This includes organisations from both phase 1 and 2 (unincorporated charities) of the fund and is on top of two previous tranches of the funding announced in June and July 2020 that benefitted 276 organisations amounting to €14.1m in funding.

These organisations provide services in a diverse range of areas including disability services, health and wellbeing services, community supports, active retirement and elder care services as well as a range of social services and supports for disadvantaged individuals and communities.

Some of the successful applicants today include:

• Society of the St Vincent De Paul Ireland €200,000
• St Lukes Charity & Northridge House Education & Business Centre €192,733
• Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre €87,932
• Sligo Centre for Independent Living €53,240
• Comharchumann Forbartha an Leith Triuigh Teoranta €34,270 
• Community Radio Castlebar €27,689

Minister Humphreys said:

“I am delighted to join with my colleagues, Ministers Donnelly and O’Brien, to announce a further tranche of funding – totalling €11 million – under the COVID 19 Stability Fund. I am very aware of the valuable contribution of the Community and Voluntary sector in general. This is particularly the case as Ireland navigates its way through this pandemic.

“I hope that this funding will help to support these organisations to continue to provide their valuable services to the people most in need and support individuals and communities as we work our way through the impact of the pandemic.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers and community workers across the country who are providing their services in difficult circumstances ensuring that all our citizens are supported through this very difficult time and I look forward to the day when I can thank you in person.”

Minister Donnelly said:

“I am pleased to announce this latest tranche of funding under the COVID 19 Stability Fund together with my colleagues, Ministers Humphreys and O’Brien.

“Community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises play a vital role in our society, and their volunteers and workers are incredibly dedicated. Many of them have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to support and help people across Ireland and this funding will help them to continue in this work. Along with my colleagues in the Department of Health, Minister Butler, Minister Feighan and Minister Rabbitte, I welcome these additional resources which will help these organisations to continue their valuable work.”

Joe O’Brien TD, Minister for State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities added:

“I would like to add to what my colleagues Ministers Humphreys and Donnelly have said and express my gratitude to all of the organisations around the country that are helping our most marginalised and disadvantaged.

“Their work is critical as we try and manage our way through this pandemic and the impact of it. I hope this funding will provide some level of support to allow organisations to continue to provide their valuable services and supports to individuals and communities all over the country.”

Due to the considerable interest in the COVID-19 Stability Fund and in order to ensure that funding is released as quickly as possible, applicants are being considered in smaller groupings and the funding being announced today is the third tranche. There remains a small number of organisations that have applied for funding where further checks are ongoing. Additional tranches will be announced shortly.

A full list of successful applicants under Tranche three is available here.

Cathaoirligh and Leas Cathaoirligh elected at 2020 Annual Meetings.

Longford County Council

Annual Meeting held on 26th June 2020.

Cathaoirleach  – Councillor Paul Ross.

Leas Cathaoirleach – Councillor Turlough McGovern.

Granard Municipal District

Annual Meeting held on 23^rd June 2020

Cathaoirleach – Councillor Garry Murtagh

Leas Cathaoirleach – Councillor Turlough McGvern

Ballymahon Municipal District

Annual Meeting held on 18^th June 2020.

Cathaoirleach – Councillor Colm Murray.

Leas Cathaoirleach – Councillor Mick Cahill.

Longford Municipal District

Annual Meeting held on  24^th June 2020

Cathaoirleach – Councillor Peggy Nolan

Leas Cathaoirleach – Councillor Uruemu Adejinmi

County Longford has beautiful natural resources which are sustained, valued and protected. It is rich in history, values, culture and traditions and is inclusive of all people supporting community participation and volunteerism. It has adequate services, supports, facilities, infrastructure and a thriving diverse economy.

Granard Municipal District has an outstanding natural environment with a strong inclusive community that values its history, culture and traditions while being open to others. The active partnership of the community and statutory structures ensures a high quality of life. There is appropriate housing for all people with access to community spaces, services and support. The thriving economy enables the community to live in dignity.

Ballymahon Municipal District includes the Shannon and Inny Rivers, Royal Canal, Corelea Bog, areas of natural beauty. This district values community participation and volunteerism. It promotes physical and mental health, adequate services and supports for all including carers. It has a thriving, diverse economy with appropriate and affordable housing for all.

Longford Municipal District is open, accessible and inclusive regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or ability. Its governance structures engage transparently and effectively with the community when developing policies and projects.

The Longford MD supports the quality of life and ongoing physical and mental health of the community through the provision of appropriate housing, services, supports, facilities and education for everyone. Community action is recognised and valued. Renewable energy is developed to sustain the community. There are clean waterways and rivers and the Longford section of the Royal Canal is re-opened and accessible to all. Longford MD is a centre of employment and tourism opportunities for the whole county.