Uncertainty still surrounds the future of the Community Office in Shannon.
In November, the Citizens Information Board issued a commitment that they would offer an improved service in Shannon with a five day week service to continue, the location of where from is not yet disclosed. Since then, little detail has been provided, one resident said “Silence does not mean the situation is sorted, it is still up in the air”.
Community group, Love Shannon wrote to Clarecare, the Citizens Information Board and elected representatives this week urging that the office be kept open in Shannon on a full-time basis. Initial correspondence sent by the group in November has not yet received a reply.
In the letter, Love Shannon highlighted “the importance of this major asset to our town and the people of Shannon have spoken loud and clear in signing petitions, lobbying the elected officials as well as the CIB and Clarecare for its full retention”.
“We believe that there may be a part time Citizens Information Service provided in the town. This is not what the people of Shannon want. Where do our people go who are in need of support, a listening ear go when they have nowhere else to go? We are the same size as Thurles and our services do not reflect this. we are a population of 10,000 people with a further 10,000 coming to work in Shannon on a daily basis”.
Areas such as Newmarket-on-Fergus, Sixmilebridge and Bunratty all utilise the office, the letter stressed. “A part time service is not enough”.
Emphasis was also placed on the role the Shannon Diary plays in informing residents of the entire Shannon Municipal District on job listings. “We are requesting not just a reply but a commitment to keep this office open on a full time basis with staff who are fully qualified and fully trained. We would ask that CIB look into the issue of MABS being available to the residents of Shannon and the surrounding areas one day a week. Again, this is unacceptable,” the letter added.
