Local Fianna Fail Cllrs, Declan Harvey and Ollie Bryant pictured with Bridie Costello Hynes, Offaly PPN, at the winter plenary session and 10th anniversary of the organisation in Tullamore Court Hotel this week. Pics by Tom O'Hanlon

Offaly PPN celebrates 10th anniversary

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Offaly Public Participation Network (PPN) celebrated its 10th anniversary at a special winter plenary event in the Tullamore Court Hotel earlier this week.

Offaly is one of 31 city & county PPN’s across the country which are primarily funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development, coupled with support from local authorities in each county.

Among the local agencies, supports and services who were represented at the winter plenary event were:The Ombudsman, Gardai, Offaly Local Development Company, Laois Offaly Education & Training Board: Community Education & Adult Literacy, Offaly Volunteer Centre, Clann Credo, Local Authority Waters Programme, Sustainable Energy Authority.

Membership from the three Pillars were also in attendance at the packed event, representing Community & Voluntary, Social Inclusion and Environment

Dennis T Ihaza, Taofeekat Sobanie and Toms Tolofari of the Offaly Africa Group.
PPN staff Carol Mahon Support worker & Bridie Costello Hynes Coordinator with PPN Secretariat Amanda Nyoni, Linda Dowling & Seamus Rourke celebrating the PPN 10th Anniversary.
Rebekah Keaveny, Community Energy Charter pictured speaking at the Offaly PPN event held at Tullamore Court Hotel.
Ger Deering Ombudsman pictured speaking at the Offaly PPN event held at Tullamore Court Hotel.

Offaly PPN were delighted to have Ger Derring - Ombudsman and Rebekah Keaveny - Offaly Community Energy Charter update as guest speakers on the evening.

The presentations were followed with introduction and ratification of the recently elected PPN representatives to a range of Boards and Committees including the Council Strategic Policy Committees.

Offaly PPN membership now stands at over 700 groups in 2024, and a celebratory cake marked the special occasion of the 10th anniversary of the local network.

The work of Maura Allen, Linda Dowling and Seamus Rourke, the three secretariat members who have been with the PPN since its inception and continue to work on behalf of the membership was also acknowledged at the winter plenary.

All members involved with the PPN in a voluntary capacity were also acknowledged for their assistance and support in establishing Offaly PPN.

Information sharing, representation and capacity building are the key elements of the Public Participation Network.

For further information email Bridie & Carol ppn@offalycoco.ie or contact Bridie 087 1198591

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