Varadkar confirms Ardee welfare office will remain open

It was confirmed last week that Ardee community welfare clinic will remain open.

Last week fears were expressed that the clinic might close after the retirement of one of it's longest serving employees.

However Fine Gael Deputy Fergus O'Dowd has moved to clarify matters, after he queried Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar on the matter.

In response Minister Varadkar told Deputy O'Dowd:

“I can confirm that the department intends to continue to operate a community welfare clinic in Ardee county Louth.”

Last week Fianna Fail Deputy Declan Breathnach noted that:

“The important work carried out by the community welfare officer which involves the administration of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme cannot be allowed to move out of Ardee thereby forcing clients to travel to avail of the service.

“It would be grossly unfair to expect people to travel to Dunleer, Drogheda or Dundalk to seek these services.”