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Government fails to address need for Irish language welfare services in Connemara
Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Department of Social Protection says Community Welfare Officer services for the Connemara region will remain as they are- despite a number of local concerns.
Services have been centralised to 5 locations throughout the county, and the need for services through Irish in Gaeltacht areas was brought to the attention of the Department.
This week, in a reply to representations from community organisations in west Connemara, the Department failed to address the provision of services through Irish.
The Connemara groups also expressed concerns about accessibility for the elderly or people with mobility needs.
They pointed out that some areas would be a distance of 60 kilometres from the nearest office, with very limited public transport available.
The Department says a provision will be put in place for home calls in certain cases, such as illness.