New Macroom social welfare office to open in four months

EIGHTEEN months after the closure of the full time Macroom Social Welfare Office it has emerged that a new office will open in the next four months.

That is according to Deputy Aindrias Moynihan (FF) who said he has confirmation from the Minister for Social Protection, Regina Doherty, that the reopening of the office is set to occur in the next four months.

Deputy Moynihan was commenting after raising the issue with the Minister directly during Social Protection questions in the Dáil.

“As we all know, the office closed in mid-2016 when the last branch manager retired. The local community have been left without the services of a full time office for some time, and they are desperately needed,” said Deputy Moynihan. “The Minister informed me that the appointment of a new branch manager was approved by the minister last week.

“It is expected that the proposed new premises will be ready in a number of months following refurbishment and, if necessary, planning approval.

“The minister claims that the new office will open this year, between March and May. It is imperative that there is no slippage in this time frame,” he siad.

“Many people who had to use social protection services to obtain, for example, a PPS number and card, had to travel to Cork City to obtain one as the temporary office was not in a position to deliver such services.”