Members of Ballyjamesduff Municipal District have made an urgent appeal to the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys to appoint a community welfare officer to the area.
The calls came during a meeting earlier today after it emerged that the two community welfare officers serving the area retired in recent months.
Those gathered heard the situation is causing untold difficulties for local people who need to access the service.
Cllr Shane P O’Reilly said that given the time of year, there were families in the municipal district under financial pressure and no local facility was available to help them.
“At this time of year when the most vulnerable in society and families who find themselves under pressure need help, we don’t have the facility for them to go to their local community welfare office in order to deal
with the issues that are presenting themselves,” he added.
“Unfortunately there are two positions that have not been filled and this is a very unsatisfactory situation that we find ourselves in.”
Meanwhile, the local area representative highlighted how social protection services in the county were providing assistance but workers were subsequently becoming “snowed under”.
“We as a council in this municipal district have unanimously come together to ask Minister Humphreys to expedite the filling of these positions immediately,” continued Cllr O’Reilly.
“The area is out on a limb because of this and it must be addressed.
"We need these positions filled and are very grateful to the two ladies who retired for the incredible work the did over the years."
