THERE is outrage in
Inishowen with the announcement that a number of
Community Welfare outlets in the peninsula will be
withdrawn.
The service is to cease in Fahan, Culdaff and Bree,
Malin Head, from Monday. Meanwhile, the service in
St Johnston ended this week. Sinn Féin said the
closures are an attack on Donegal's hard-hit rural
communities.
Cllr Cora Harvey said: “At a time when the service
of a Community Welfare officer is most needed, a
decision like this is made.
"Local management are forced to make these types of
decisions by the Department of Social Protection and
I do not blame local personnel. The buck stops with
the Minister and the local people suffer."
The closure of the services in Inishowen is expected
to put further strain on the bigger centres
including Buncrana, leading to even longer waiting
lists for people in need.
Sinn Féin said the move will also place an added
burden on people who have no access to either their
own or public transport.
"The services provided by the CWO are essential and
are not a luxury. We have contacted the Department
and submitted PQ’s on this issue as questions need
to be answered." |
