Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to know what is going on with the Intreo office for Dublin 7. I have raised this issue a number of times. I have written to the Minister and requested a meeting with him. Indeed, I asked the Leader to request that the Minister meet members of the local community. More than 1,500 people have signed a petition calling for the Intreo office for Dublin 7 to be reopened. The office serves the communities of the Navan Road, Cabra, Phibsborough and Stoneybatter. I am sure Senators are familiar with the area, which has a population of more than 10,000. When the office was initially closed in April, we were told it was being closed temporarily and that there would be no interruption or change to services and that some maintenance and upgrading works were to be undertaken on the building. In July, I was told the building situation was being reviewed and there had been an increase in costs due to construction inflation but, again, there was no significant change proposed to the services. I have now heard that the office is closed permanently and that a division of the Garda will be relocated to it on a temporary basis. This means that 40 front-line staff who would present a human face, on behalf of the State, to people in need when they apply for a service have been unilaterally and without consultation withdrawn from the community of Dublin 7.

Let us stop and think for a moment. In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, which type of people would be affected by this? The reply I have received has suggested that people go online, make a phone call or download a form. That is the type of approach that a commercial entity, a bank or other entity that does not have a social conscience or social responsibility, might take. To give an example, people who are looking for the additional needs payment cannot apply for it online because there is not a portal to do so. They now need to get a form, fill it out and submit it. God knows, when they will receive a reply or any other form of human interaction. The same goes for the supplementary welfare allowance. There were no fewer than ten welfare officers serving the Dublin 7 community in that office.

This decision is hugely disappointing. It is devastating for the local community. I ask the Leader to use her offices on behalf of the people of Dublin 7 to address this issue with the Minister. I will also be addressing it through my Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party channels.