No Community Welfare Officer at time when they are needed most

The wider Ballyshannon area has been without its own Community Welfare Officer since October. 

That is according to Cllr Michael McMahon (SF) who raised the matter at the December meeting of the Municipal District (MD) of Donegal.

“The Community Welfare Officer has retired,” he said. “She did a fantastic job. She hasn’t been replaced.

“That office covers a big area. I was told that there has been nobody in this office since October.”

The councillor said that in the current cost of living crisis and severe winter weather, the Community Welfare Officer had a big part to play. 

“I have heard that someone is coming in January,” said Cllr McMahon. 

“But I am very upset that they didn’t say that the last officer was leaving, and that they didn’t get a temporary officer there.”

The councillor outlined the difficulty he had in dealing with the Department of Social Protection about a particular case. 

“The person I spoke to, I was worse off than when we started,” he said. “The guy I spoke to hadn’t a clue about Ballyshannon. Only for the map he wouldn’t even know where it was.”

Cllr McMahon proposed that a letter be sent to the Department of Social Protection on the matter. 

This was seconded by Cllr Barry Sweeny (FG) who said he had spoken to what sounded like the same person in Dublin and had experienced similar difficulties. 

“It was not acceptable for a person in that position,” said Cllr Sweeny.

Area Manager for Donegal MD, Pauric Sheerin said he believed that a Community Welfare Officer from another area was covering a bigger catchment to take in Ballyshannon.

But he agreed that every area needed their own officer. 

He advised that until an appointment was made, people could go to their local Social Welfare Office for guidance. 

“They will know the arrangements for Exceptional Needs Payments etc,” said Mr Sheerin.