Tags: Community Welfare Officers, Cork, Deirdre Clune, industrial dispute, Ireland, Kerry, politics

Deirdre Clune

CORK South Central Deputy Deirdre Clune has called for an immediate resolution to the industrial dispute that has resulted in Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) not processing new claims for rent/mortgage allowances and medical cards.

This dispute is in operation since Thursday, July 16th in the Cork and Kerry area.

“Community Welfare Officers work on the frontline. They are the first port of call for many who find themselves in difficult financial circumstances,” said Deputy Clune.

“At a time when we see a sharp rise in demands for the services of CWOs, it is unacceptable that vulnerable people many of them recently unemployed should be faced with such an impasse

“There is an embargo on recruitment of CWOs but the current dispute centres on the non replacement of staff whether they are on sick leave maternity leave or for other reasons. IMPACT estimates that, last year, seven posts were lost in Cork and four in Kerry and the HSE promised to replace six and a half posts in February.

“However, this has not happened and the non replacement of posts is placing undue strain on those working within the system.

“The HSE have stated that CWOs will continue to accept applications for rent/mortgage allowances and medical cards but these applications will not be processed

“Like all disputes there will be a resolution to this but, while it continues, vulnerable, financially stretched individuals and families will suffer. The HSE must act immediately to ensure normal services in these difficult times are restored,” she concluded.