Clare PPN’s latest quarterly report is now available to read here: Quarterly report July to September 2023
We welcome your comments and queries at: admin@clareppn.ie
Press release: Issued by Clare Public Participation Network, Thursday 26th October, 2023
Invitation to launch of ‘Fair Clare: Securing Socio-economic rights and a just transition in County Clare’ 7pm, November 6th, Templegate Hotel, Ennis.
A ground breaking research project examining the ongoing and likely future effects on Clare communities of the transition to net zero carbon emissions has found that there is a risk of ‘an unfair transition in the county’ unless measures are taken to address this. The report: ‘Fair Clare: Securing Socio-Economic Rights and a Just Transition in Clare’ is jointly authored by Kieran Harrahill and Roisin Greaney both from TASC – Think Tank for Action on Social Change who conduced a series of workshops with a wide range of communities in the county over the course of this summer.
The report will be launched at a free event on Monday, November the 6th at 7 pm in the Templegate Hotel, Ennis. Tickets must be booked in advance at this link https://bit.ly/3FvX7B4 or by calling Clare PPN on 087-1617375 during office hours.
The report can be read in full at this link and the beautiful artist designed print copies will be available on the night for those attending the launch: http://bit.ly/45PChHA
Groups who participated in the lively discussion sessions for the project included those perceived to be at risk from climate action: low income farmers, and other people on low incomes in rural areas including single parents, older people, people with disabilities, single parents, carers and others. Dedicated workshops were held with men from the Traveller community and with people who have come here seeking protection as a result of war in Ukraine and with people living within the international protection system in Clare. The workshops were held in a range of Clare towns – Kilrush, Ennistymon, Shannon, Scariff, Ennis and Killaloe and covered a wide range of topics with everything from turf to tourism coming under scrutiny.
Sarah Clancy part of the Clare PPN team who oversaw the project observed ‘This report is not designed to sit on a shelf, it contains real issues and proposals to solve them gathered from ordinary people some of whom are living in very difficult circumstances around the county. We are launching it now in advance of three forthcoming election cycles- the local and EU elections in 2024, and the General Election which could happen at any time now and we want to make its recommendations part of every existing and would-be politicians policy platform whatever party they are with’.
The striking artist designed report builds onwards from Clare PPN’s previous work which examined poverty in Clare, and also makes for stark reading. Communities ranked housing and health as their key and urgent concerns alongside cost of living issues and with many expressing their worries about the care available for themselves, family members and others. This report doesn’t stop there however – it makes 27 recommendations for local and national policy makers on how some of these issues can and should be addressed in ways that tackle climate action and poverty reduction at the same time. Suggestions include developing an innovative a social enterprise incubator, that the Local Authority itself should adopt ‘community wealth building’ as its approach, that the national retrofit schemes no-cost plans should be extended to low and middle income households, that existing farm supports should be tailored to local needs and landscapes and it calls for the establishment of local information and help centres, community development projects and a suggests that a trade school should be established in an area of deprivation.
Padraic Hayes, a Shannon based steering committee member for this project said ‘We’re really proud of this work and the fact that it has been developed directly by groups of people who are affected by poverty and discrimination in our communities. One of the main things we’ve learned is that if we can improve the services needed by those of us who are worst off, that actually everyone benefits.’
The project itself was commissioned by four local organisations working together: Clare County Council, Clare Local Development Company, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board and Clare Public Participation Network and was funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the dormant accounts fund and many of its findings have been fed into Clare’s draft Local Economic and Community Plan.
ENDS
For more information or comments, please contact:
Sarah Clancy 086 384 0973 / sarah@clareppn.ie
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
A PDF of the report is available to download at this link:
Clare PPN is a network of community, voluntary, environmental and social inclusion groups from Clare. Its purpose is to ensure that the diverse voices and expertise of community groups in Clare are brought into Local Government policy making. www.clareppn.ie
Join Clare PPN on Monday, 6th November at 7pm for our winter plenary meeting and the launch of the TASC report on Just Transition and Socio-economic Rights. The report’s findings, which are the result of extensive research and public consultation that took place throughout County Clare this summer, will be discussed by a panel of invited guests. This is a valuable opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and your presence will contribute to our community’s growth and understanding of Just Transition and Socio-Economic Rights. Please mark your calendar and join us for this informative and engaging evening. Invitations have already gone out to our member groups but interested members of the public are also invited to see what we have been up to for the last few months and to hear about out latest publication.
Please reserve your free ticket here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/clarepublicparticipationnetwork/
Clare PPN Representative Report from Clare Biodiversity/Heritage Forum on 28th July 2023
Andrew St. Ledger attended the Clare Biodiversity & Heritage Forum in 28th July on behalf of Clare PPN.
His report can be accessed here:
Clare PPN Representative Report from Clare Biodiversity_Heritage Forum on 28th July 2023
Notice of Elections for Environmental College Representative Roles.
Clare PPN would like to give notice of elections for the following positions:
1.
Environmental representative on the Physical Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) of Clare County Council
The Physical Development SPC is responsible for all areas of policy concerning the council’s roads, water, environment, fire and major emergency management functions. The SPC meets quarterly and reps are required to attend a pre-meeting with Clare PPN in advance to discuss the agenda and any issues raised by our member groups.
2.
Environmental representative on the Rural Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) of Clare County Council
The Rural Development SPC is responsible for all areas of policy concerning the council’s town and village enhancement, community, information and communications technology functions. This SPC meets quarterly and reps are required to attend a pre-meeting with Clare PPN in advance to discuss the agenda and any issues raised by our member groups.
3.
Environmental representative on the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC)
The Local Community Development Committee is comprised of Council Officials, Elected Councillors, and various business and community representatives. The LCDC was set up:
The LCDC meets at least six times per annum and reps are required to attend a pre-meeting with Clare PPN in advance to discuss the agenda and any issues raised by our member groups.
https://www.clarecoco.ie/services/community/lcdc/
Environmental representative on the Rural Development Forum coordinated by Clare County Council The Rural Development Forum, which meets three times per year, is comprised of more than 40 representatives from organisations throughout County Clare. One of its key achievements so far has been the Clare County Council’s Rural Development Strategy 2026:
Environmental representative on Clare County Council’s new Biodiversity and Heritage Forum:
Clare County Council is tasked with creating two separate plans for Clare in the immediate future. These are the County Clare Heritage Plan 2023 – 2029 and the County Clare Biodiversity Plan 2024 – 2030. In order to do this they established the above named forum which held its inaugural meeting last July. This forum is proposed to meet on a quarterly basis until both of the above plans have been created and on a twice yearly basis after that. Clare PPN is seeking nominations from our environment college member groups for a person with strong expertise and experience in issues relating to protecting and restoring biodiversity in Clare. It would be particularly welcome if the nominees are also interested in or have expertise in issues relating to built and natural heritage.
The ideal candidates will be well connected with environmental groups in the area. They should have a genuine interest in climate action and in protecting, restoring and sustaining the natural environment as well as in increasing participation and policy development by local groups in Local Government Structures. They will also agree to the Clare PPN Representatives’ Charter 2023 which sets out the responsibilities and obligations of this voluntary role.
Election Rules and Process:
How to nominate a candidate:
Groups wishing to nominate a candidate or candidates must seek their consent first and then must send an email to admin@clareppn.ie with the following information on or before Friday, 6th October at 5pm:
Clare PPN will confirm receipt of nominations by email. Following the close of nominations Clare PPN will circulate details of candidates to relevant member groups on Monday 9th October and they will be invited to cast their votes using our online form. Online voting will remain open until 1pm on Monday 16th October. No votes will be accepted after this time. The successful candidate will then be contacted and offered the position. Should candidates be successfully nominated for more than one position they will be invited to select their preferred role and the next candidate in line will be offered the other position.
If you need any more information or wish to discuss the role further please email admin@clareppn.ie or call 087 1617375
NB: Even if you have nominated a candidate, you will still need to cast your vote to support their election.