Ryan raises lack Balbriggan Community Welfare Service in Oireachtas – Secures Special Debate
Issued : Wednesday 21 April, 2010
In a Special Debate in the Seanad today, Senator Brendan Ryan (Dublin North) has called on the incoming Minister for Social Protection, Éamon Ó Cuív, TD, to immediately restore the Balbriggan Community Welfare Service on a local basis, given that many residents from Balbriggan and surrounding areas are forced to travel 22 miles to Gardiner Street to apply for payments including Mortgage Interest Relief, Basic Income while waiting for Dole, and Rent Allowance.
Senator Ryan stated that it is an absolute scandal that this situation has remained unchanged given that this was meant to be a short-term arrangement which has now lasted for six years. In his response to the debate, Minister of State John Maloney TD gave a commitment to meet Senator Ryan on the matter immediate after Easter. This followed Senator Ryan’s expression of doubt as to the accuracy of the information made available to the Minister for his response.
In his contribution to the debate Senator Ryan stated: “Balbriggan people were informed several years ago that it had become necessary to relocate part of the HSE Community Welfare Service from Balbriggan to offices in Gardiner Street, in the City Centre of Dublin, due to lack of space. They were informed that this would only be a temporary measure until suitable alternative premises could be procured.”
“Six years later this temporary arrangement still exists.”
“Up to 250 people per week have to travel at their own expense nearly 22 miles each way to have their applications for entitlements processed. The round trip costs €8.
This is a scandalous situation that has been allowed to develop, and the resolution of the problem continues to be put on the long finger.”
“It is totally unacceptable.”
“There are currently 5 Community Welfare Officers who provide a service to the people of Balbriggan, and 3 of them are operating out of the Gardiner Street office.
Balbriggan Health Centre was and still remains totally inadequate to provide the range of services essential for the people of Balbriggan, such as public health nursing, dental service, mental health services, and community welfare services.”
“The existing single storey building, with a prefab extension to the rear, at Hampton Street, cannot cater for the expansion of the services, which has resulted from an increased demand driven by the rapid expansion of housing developments in the Balbriggan area, together with the rapid increase in unemployment in the town.”
“There were 5,029 people on the live register in Balbriggan at the end of February and with extreme delays in processing applications, new applicants are forced to seek welfare from the CWO whilst they are waiting to receive their jobseekers benefit. If they are lucky and live in the south of the town they can go to the CWO in the local office in Hampton Street, but if they live in the North or west of the town then they must travel into Gardiner Street.”
“Other supplementary payments delivered through the Community Welfare Service include: rent supplement, mortgage interest supplement, heating expenses and exceptional needs payments. Applicants for all of these payments must also make their way into Gardiner Street.”
“This problem is well known to the HSE and the Department of Health and Children.
Following previous representations by me on this issue, I was informed by the HSE in May 2008 that: A number of possible alternative locations in Balbriggan were examined and one had been deemed suitable to accommodate the community welfare services. This has been put forward to the HSE National Property Committee and a response is pending.”
Notwithstanding that reply, the location referred to was never available.
Following further representations by me in February 2009, I was informed that: It is anticipated that the Community Welfare Service will be factored into the new Employment Exchange development in Balbriggan which is due to be operational in six months and the service based in Gardiner Street will move to this facility as soon as it is ready.”
“There is as yet no Employment Exchange development in place, more than a year later, and when it is in place it may not even be adequate in size to provide a full service for Social Welfare services, and definitely not adequate to include the Community Welfare Service as well.”
“I am demanding that the HSE accept their responsibility and provide an alternative location in Balbriggan as a matter of urgency. Given the downturn in the property market, there should be no excuse for not sourcing a suitable location. I know that suitable premises are available for lease in Balbriggan today.”
“I hope that the response is meaningful, unlike previous responses I have received.”
I am again calling on the Minister to have this matter resolved and I welcome the Minister’s commitment to meet with me after Easter.
Action must be taken. It is the least that the people of Balbriggan can expect.
