Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for Justice for coming to deal with this as I understand the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Heather Humphreys, is busy with departmental issues.

I raise the closure of the Citizens Information office in Wicklow town. This is an incredibly successful information office and one of the busiest in the county. It provides a real service and has done for many years to local residents, particularly elderly people or migrant communities. It has formed very strong bonds with the Traveller community in the Wicklow district and there is a direct provision centre in Wicklow town as well, along with emergency accommodation nearby in Ashford. The office provides an absolutely essential service to the residents in those centres.

Unfortunately, during the Covid-19 pandemic it became apparent that the office that the service occupied in Wicklow town was no longer suitable from a health and safety perspective.

The office closed temporarily but staff realised quickly that they could not open the doors again and formally and officially closed the doors on 1 March this year. They have identified an alternative premises but they need funding in order to secure it.

I was hoping to raise the matter with the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, tonight. My understanding is that it is a matter for the Department whether the funding will be made available for this premises. As I said, this is a really essential service. I was just looking for an update on the funding application and whether there is a possibility to get it funded. Now more than ever people within our communities need access to a safe, trusted, free information service that assists them with things like writing applications, knowing what Government Department to contact and knowing what their entitlements are. Particularly with the rising cost of living and rising fuel costs, and since we will have a lot of new members of our community with Ukrainian citizens coming as well, it is really important that we continue to support Citizens Information offices. I hope the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, will provide the funding to keep them operating in such a successful manner.

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