Urgent need for social welfare office in Castlepollard

A new social welfare office is urgently needed in Castlepollard, particularly with the arrival of 60 Ukrainian refugees, said Cllr Denis Leonard at the May meeting of Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District.

He urged the council to impress on the Department of Social Protection the importance of an office there to serve a huge hinterland as well as the new arrivals. They need to accelerate the tender and contract process, he said.

He was told that was a matter for the department and the council did not have a role in it.

An office space has been made available temporarily to the department in the Castlepollard civic office to facilitate meeting clients, if and when needed.

Cllr Leonard proposed that the council write to the department. He was seconded by Cllr Frank McDermott.