Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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408. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a permanent solution will be in place for the replacement of the social welfare office in Castlepollard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56695/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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No formal decision has yet been taken as to the opening of a new Social Welfare Branch Office dedicated to Castlepollard.

In the interim, the Department has put an outreach service in place in the County Council Offices, Mullingar Road, Castlepollard on Tuesday and Wednesday each week from 09.30 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to 16.00 since April 2022.

The outreach service is fully supported by the Mullingar Intreo Centre where customers are welcome to conduct their business by either attending in person, emailing mullingar@welfare.ie or by phone (044) 9350921. The Department’s services are also available through the Department’s digital & online channels (MyWelfare.ie). The effectiveness of this outreach service is subject to ongoing review.

In my capacity as Minister for Rural and Community, I was pleased to allocate funding of over €3.8million in November 2022 for a major regeneration project in Castlepollard. This exciting project will see the complete refurbishment and renovation of the historic Market House Building in the town. In addition, a new 1.2 acre town park will be developed to include looped walks, play areas and a new skate park. I am very pleased to support this transformational project for Castlepollard as part of the Government’s Our Rural Future Strategy.