People’s Centre set for closure

STAFF at the Dundalk People’s Centre are fighting to save the service which has been a vital resource centre for the last three decades, after news emerged of plans to close the Clanbrassil Street facility.

A member of staff who contacted the Argus in relation to the shock news said ‘We were all called in and told that the centre is set to close by the end of August.’

He added that no explanation was given to staff, many of whom are on Community Employment (CE) schemes, and others who have worked there for many years.

‘Ironically this one of our busiest times of the year, as people would come to us for help with things like back to school grants, and for the second hand book scheme.’

Meanwhile local TD Peter Fitzpatrick expressed his concern over the proposal to close the service, formerly known as the Dundalk Resource Centre, saying that ‘clarity is needed on the circumstances of the closure.’

‘I was shocked and disappointed to learn that the Dundalk Resource Centre is to close.’

The centre is run by a private limited company, Dundalk I.C.T.U Centre Ltd, and at a meeting of their Board last week, a decision was made to close the centre on the 31st August 2016.

‘I am told that the decision to close was based on the current financial position of the company and I wish to emphasise that there has been no withdrawal of any government funding here.’

He added: ‘I understand that the current financial difficulties are a result of legacy debt being carried forward. I am calling for clarity in relation to this for the sake of the service users at Dundalk Resource Centre.’

‘I have been in constant contact with the Minister for Social Protection, Leo Varadkar, and his Department to ensure that all CE Scheme participants are relocated to alternative providers of the scheme. I am working to ensure that there is a smooth transition for these service users and that no’one is disadvantaged as a result of this closure.’