Programme
6.30pm — Registration and refreshments, with the opportunity to have a professional headshot taken by Just Media.
7.00pm — Updates and short presentations from:
- Update from the PPN Secretariat: Kelley Bermingham
- Reflections on being a PPN Representative: Rabia Tabassam
- An introduction to the photography exhibition: “Who are we now?”, by Paul Rogers of Northside Partnership
7.40pm — Table Talk
Updates from the PPNs internal working groups:
Table One: Mick Keegan – Disability Thematic Group (DTG).
Table Two: Inguna Grietina-Darzina – Migrant Thematic Group (MTG).
Table Three: Áine Wellard – the Environment pillar working group.
Table Four: Kelley Bermingham – the Community pillar working group.
Table Five: Oisin O’Reilly – the Social Inclusion pillar working group.
Table Six: BHP Insurance are here to talk about your member groups insurance needs.
Table Seven: several members of staff from Dublin City Council are here to talk to you informally, about the Older People’s Council and the new safety forum.
Online: Dr Robbie Sinnott is available in the online space, to talk about his main priorities in the Mobility and Public Realm Strategic Policy Committee (SPC).
8.15pm — Music to close the evening and further time to enjoy the photography exhibition.
8.30pm — Event ends.
Update from the PPN Secretariat: Kelley Bermingham
My name is Kelley Bermingham and I am a member of the PPN Secretariat. I would like to welcome you all here to the Friends of the Elderly premises on Bolton Street, and I want to start by thanking Bernie and the team, for letting us use this lovely, warm, cosy hall for our winter networking event.
It’s great to see so many of you here this evening. Some of you have been involved with the PPN since it started in 2014, and some of you have just joined. All of you are welcome.
Dublin City PPN has over a thousand member groups, working to improve the quality of life for the people who live, work, study and visit the city. Some of the groups are large, professional and providing services to the people of Dublin and some are very small, functioning with a fully volunteer staff and very small budget. When your group joined the PPN, it was asked to be part of a pillar and could choose between the Voluntary and Community Pillar, the social inclusion pillar or the environment pillar. I work for St Patrick’s Cathedral, which is in the Community and Voluntary Pillar. You can find the Members Directory section easily on the website, where you can check which pillar your group belongs to.
Dublin City Council invite the PPN to nominate and elect PPN Representatives to sit on Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) and the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), and we currently have 20 reps on the 20 available seats. Each seat comes from a pillar, and each Representative is there to represent the pillar and the PPN in general, rather than their own member group. So to give another example, I sit on the LCDC, as a Representative of the Community and Voluntary pillar. And my seat on the Secretariat (which is our Board), is also from the Community and Voluntary pillar.
The council held their local elections in June 2024, which triggered our nominations and elections process, and many of those Representatives are in the room this evening. The terms are five years, and there’s an enormous amount of work to participate in the committee work. So I just want to thank all the Representatives on the Dublin City committees tonight – thank you for your hard work, commitment, for sharing your experiences and for working with the council to improve the city for all of us.
2025 was a busy year.
The PPN has three main aims: to share information with the network, to offer capacity building training and to support the nominated and elected Representatives across the committee work.
We share information in a variety of ways. Every Wednesday we send out a weekly Bulletin to all member groups via email, and we would ask that you share this onto the other people in your groups and networks. The Bulletin is a very, very quick update on some of the work of other member groups, some of the areas of work of the committee work, and some information about training, grants and available funding streams. This Bulletin is then uploaded to the website and shared out on our social media channels of Facebook and LinkedIn. Again, we ask that all of you become familiar with the website and social media channels, so that you can share the information further.
In 2025, we offered a variety of capacity building training for all member groups. We hosted a spring and autumn series of training where we held sessions on writing successful grant applications, writing effective submissions for public consultations, and mindfulness for people involved in caring for others. We also had a very successful Summer School in partnership with DCU, and Dun Laoghaire and Rathdown and Fingal PPNs. We also thank Dun Laoghaire Rathdown PPN staff for being here this evening and helping with this event. Thank you, Simone and Collette.
Summer School offered sessions on social media, Artificial Intelligence, Mis/Dis and Mal information and public policy. There was a wonderful closing ceremony and networking lunch at the end of the week, and we were really thrilled with the energy, participation and feedback from the programme.
We always offer sessions online and in-person, during the evenings and mornings so that we can try and accommodate as many people as possible, through as many barriers as possible. But of course, we can do better and will continue to improve in 2026.
And in 2025, we offered support to our Representatives in a new way. Based on feedback from the outgoing reps of 2024, and the experiences they had, we established pillar working groups. These pillar working groups are places where the reps can come together, offer support, advice, suggestions and share experiences from each of the SPCs or LCDC that they belong to. Consultant Facilitator, Ellenora Lynch, supported the groups and they met in February 2025, at the May Plenary, and during the autumn. Tonight, we are going to ask some of the people from these pillar working groups to update the wider plenary on what they’ve been doing in their pillar working groups. We would also like to thank Ellenora Lynch for her incredible hard work, kindness, generosity and knowledge. Thank you, Ellenora.
We also have two other internal groups: our Disability Thematic Group and our Migrant/Minority Thematic Group and they are here this evening to discuss their updates too. They meet every month or so, and work on different events which promote their work and the work of the PPN in general. We thank Mick and Inguna for the hours and hours – no, weeks and weeks of volunteer work that they give to the PPN.
The overall purpose of the PPN is to help our member groups participate more, in local authority decision making, and so we would ask you to come in closer to the core work of the network. Our PPN is a work in progress, and we welcome your thoughts, feedback and comments. Before we do that, I would just like to ratify some of our important issues this evening. Our 2026 workplan was shared online 21 days before this plenary session, and we are now taking it as read and agreed. In addition, the Plenary will also ratify:
The PPN’s newest Secretariat member, James Wickam.
The newest member of the Mobility and Public Realm SPC, Zoe Baker
The PPN will also update wording for its website: including the right to refuse membership of the PPN when a group does not meet the PPNs values and principles. The right to close a pending application, when that application is over six months old.
OK – that’s the business side of things taken care of. And so I hope you enjoy the evening, that you make new connections, and continue to learn more about the PPN, and your place in it.
I will be here all evening, so please come and say hello.
Thank you.
Reflections on being a PPN Representative: Rabia Tabassum
Good evening everyone. My name is Rabia, I am a member of the group that is a part of the Social Inclusion Pillar and a nominated and elected Representative on the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC).
Something about me, I work with Amal Women Ireland. Amal is a registered charity that works with Muslim women to access mainstream services in culturally responsive manner. Just recently Amal commissioned two pieces of research: one was on the needs of Muslim women, and the other was on the barriers in seeking employment by Muslim women, in the Irish market. I am happy to share the reports with anyone who is interested.
My role in Amal is as a case worker. I am a people person. I am passionate about connecting people and resolving conflicts. I am a family mediator, and I support women as they navigate the Irish job market.
What we do in the PPN.
We work as a bridge between communities and the council. Every PPN has goals and objectives, and as PPN members we strive to achieve them, through representing different communities. As a PPN member we contribute to shaping local development strategies with a focus on equality and inclusion. We ensure community perspectives are embedded in decision-making around funding, social programmes and resource allocation. We act as a bridge between local communities and policy makers, bringing forward lived experiences to influence systemic change.
This summer, I attended a trip to Tralee and learnt how proven PPN models can guide us in tackling Dublin’s challenges. Rather than reinventing emergency responses, adapting successful approaches through collaboration and practical innovation will strengthen a resilient, inclusive community framework while giving opportunities for networking.
I am very glad to have this chance to share my experience as a member of the Public Participation Network. Joining the PPN has been a journey of learning, adjusting, connecting, and growing. Like any group, there have been positives and challenges, and I want to speak honestly about both.
Starting Out – The Challenges
When I first joined, I was excited but also unsure. I wanted to contribute, but I found the beginning a little difficult. There was no induction or role clarity. There was not much clarity about what exactly was expected of me. The onboarding and induction process could have been stronger, with clearer guidance on roles and responsibilities. At times, I felt I was trying to find my way in the dark.
Another challenge was the use of acronyms and technical language. Many PPN documents use shorthand that can be confusing for new members, such as LCDC (Local Community Development Committee), SDG (Sustainable Development Goals), DRCD (Department of Rural and Community Development), and PPN itself. For someone new, it was not always easy to understand what was being discussed. This created barriers to participation and slowed down my ability to contribute fully.
Personalities and accents: Because the PPN brings together people from different backgrounds, sometimes I struggled with accents or linguistic differences that were hard to follow. Combined with diverse personalities in the group, this sometimes-made communication more challenging.
These challenges reminded me how important clear communication and structured support are in diverse groups.
But alongside these challenges, there have been many positives.
Supportive people: One of the greatest strengths of the PPN is its people. I want to mention Kelly, Ruth, Siobhan, and in particular, Ellenora who was a great help in getting me grounded. Their guidance and kindness made me feel welcome and gave me the confidence to take part.
Steady progress: The pace of work in the PPN can feel slow at times. But I have come to see that this slow pace is not a weakness. It is a way of making sure decisions are thoughtful, inclusive, and fair. It allows everyone’s voice to be heard.
Sense of community: Being part of the PPN has given me the chance to connect with people from many different walks of life. This diversity enriches our discussions and reminds me of the value of collective effort. It is not always easy, but it is always worthwhile.
Balancing Positives and Negatives
So, when I look back, I see both sides. The lack of induction, the heavy use of acronyms, and the challenges of personalities and accents were real barriers. But the support I received, the careful pace of work, and the sense of community have been powerful positives. I believe that if we can strengthen induction and role clarity, simplify our language, and keep working on communication, the PPN will become even more effective. These improvements would help new members feel confident from the beginning and make sure everyone can contribute fully.
And as we do this, it is important that we remain open‑minded, unbiased, and non-judgmental. Every member brings their own background, their own way of speaking, and their own perspective. If we listen with respect and without judgment, we can turn diversity into strength. By keeping an open mind, we make space for new ideas and ensure that everyone feels valued. This spirit of fairness and inclusion is what will allow the PPN to grow stronger together.
Looking Ahead
For me, being part of the PPN is about more than meetings or tasks. It is about building a space where people can come together, share ideas, and make a difference in their communities, and look at the bright and united future, regardless of nationality. It is about learning from each other, even when it is hard. I am grateful for the chance to be part of this network. I have learned patience, I have learned to listen more carefully, and I have learned the value of collective progress and united combined efforts. So my message is simple: We all have our imperfections — myself and the PPN included — yet the PPN remains an essential force for community growth and progression. It is a place where we can grow together. And with small improvements in clarity, language, and communication, focus and united, it can become even stronger.
Thank you.
An introduction to the photography exhibition: “Who are we now?” by Paul Rogers of Northside Partnership
“Who are we now?” is a photovoice exploration of community, identity and contested belonging, developed by Northside Partnership.
In 2024, a series of protests erupted outside the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock, following its proposed use as an IPAS accommodation centre, for people seeking international protection. Marking the first anniversary of these events, Northside Partnership sought to create space for reflection – not only on what happened, but on what it revealed about community identity, inclusion and belonging.
The photographic exhibition you see around the hall this evening, are a selection of the many included in “Who are we now?”, and Paul Rogers of Northside Partnership will spend a few minutes discussing his thoughts and comments about the exhibition.
Ellenora Lynch – pillar working group updates
Overview
This capacity building and training programme was designed to advance the work of the LCDC, Environment and Community & Voluntary working groups, by helping them to identify key priority areas, and then developing an action plan to further community impact through coordinated efforts and effective implementation.
Each of the three working groups have been working on a set of priority areas, a key purpose of which is to focus their contributions at LCDC / SPC / external committees, in order to ensure these are relevant and actionable. This approach will help to ensure that Reps target issues and opportunities that matter to DC PPN member groups and can lead to concrete action and change.
Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) Working Group
Focus areas include:
Community safety (LECP Goal 4)
Inclusive integration (LECP Goal 3 & 4)
Inclusive employment (LECP Goal 5)
Youth (LECP Goal 4 & 5)
Climate Action (LECP Goal 1)
Presentation given by DC PPN LCDC Reps at the September LCDC meeting.
Next steps will be to share the LCDC priorities document with the membership of DC PPN
Community & Voluntary Working Group
Slightly different approach to the LCDC working group, with widely diverse priority areas discussed, reflecting the complexity and diversity of the pillar’s membership
Substantial progress has been made with immediate priority areas, with draft wording for potential motions already shared by working group members
Focus areas include:
Community safety/ Safety on public transport/ Provision of space for arts and culture groups/ Green and play spaces/ Release of data from the Dublin Region Homeless Executive
Environment Working Group
As with the Community & Voluntary Working Group, substantial progress has been made with immediate priority areas, with draft wording already prepared.
Immediate priority areas: Dog leash policy in St Anne’s Park/ Holistic grassland management practices in public areas/ Dublin City Tree Strategy/ Medium / long term priority areas/ Improved biodiversity in Dublin City, by making existing gardens more nature friendly/ Integrate nature into planning/ Dark skies in Dublin City/ Rainwater management/ Interpretative centre for Dublin Bay
Administration
Facebook/LinkedIn @dublincityppn
Dublin City PPN Draft 2026 workplan and budget: https://dublincityppn.ie/resources/ppn-2026-draft-workplan-and-budget/
Members Directory: https://dublincityppn.ie/members/
Full list of PPN Representatives and Secretariat
Local Community Development Committee (LCDC)
Kelley Bermingham (St Patrick’s Cathedral), Rabia Tabassum (Amal Women Ireland), Scott Chiang (Cantonese in Ireland), Clare Wheeler (Dublin Community Environmental Network), Dr Akeem Omotayo Badmus (Nigerians in Diaspora Ireland).
Climate Action and Urban Resilience
Áine Wellard (Terenure Community Support and Integration), Ann Canning (Donore Project Consultative Forum)
Community, Gaeilge, Sport, Arts and Culture
Brian Greene (Dublin Community Television) Sorcha Keane (Axis Ballymun)
Economic, Development and Enterprise
Adele O’Connor (Coolock Development Council), Aideen O’Dochartaigh (Not Here Not Anywhere)
Finance
Susan Whelan (Greenfield Park Residents’ Association), Siobhán Guyatt (Ballymun Community Law Centre).
Housing and Social Inclusion
Mike Allan (Focus Ireland) Oisin O’Reilly (Outhouse LGBTQ Centre), Sinead Murphy (Meeting Place Club).
Planning and Urban Regeneration
Sebastian Vencken (Broadstone Basin Residents Association), Fergal Butler (Bridgefoot Street Park Committee).
Mobility and Public Realm
Dr Robbie Sinnott (Voice of Vision Impairment) Zoe Baker (Our Street).
Dublin City PPN Secretariat
Catherine O’Toole (Dublin Community Environment Network), Ernie Beggs (Dublin Community Environment Network), Stephen Doody (Dublin Community Environment Network). James Wickham (West of Camden Residents Association), Frank Foley (Association of Irish Musical Societies) Kelley Bermingham (St Patrick’s Cathedral). Siobhán Guyatt (Ballymun Community Law Centre), Mick Keegan (Polio Survivors).
Internal working groups:
Disability Thematic Group (DTG)
Mick Keegan (Polio Survivors), Martin Hoey (Finglas South Combined Residents Association) Sandra Dillon (Meeting Place Club),
Migrant Thematic Group (MTG)
Inguna Grietina-Darzina (Latvian Mixed Choir, LA’IR), Nara Moondoi (Irland Ornoor Club), Veronica Slazar (All Together in Dignity), Adekunle Gomez (African Institute).
Notes*