Castlepollard group start campaign over social welfare office closure
Castlepollard Local Development are calling on local TDs and councillors to join them in a campaign to have the social welfare office in Castlepollard reopened.
In a statement this morning, Castlepollard Local Development said:
“On Friday April 8, the branch social welfare office in Castlepollard was closed.
“The closure was completed without any prior notice or community engagement.
“The decision by the department represents a retrograde step for the town of Castlepollard, which is a Tier 2 town and the key service town in north Westmeath, and undermines the goal of future sustainable development.
“The branch office operated for more than 20 years, on a full five-day a week basis with 2½ to 3 permanent staff, servicing Castlepollard and an extensive hinterland through the north of County Westmeath and parts of Meath and Cavan.
“Many people across that area will be affected by the unnecessary closure.
“Castlepollard Local Development are calling on all local public representatives to join us in asking Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Social Protection, and also Minister for Rural and Community Development, to give an immediate and clear statement of her intention to ensure a new social welfare branch office is opened in Castlepollard and to commit to accelerating the commencement of the tender and contract process to make that happen.”