Protest over feared closure of NCBI office

PROTESTERS gathered in Dún Laoghaire last week to highlight local concerns that the National Council for the Blind Resource Centre is facing closure.

The protest was organised by members of the blind community in the town as well as from further afield.

They gathered for the demonstration outside the NCBI offices on Clarence Street, which they claim is threatened with closure due to “lack of service users”.

Richard Boyd Barrett TD and People Before Profit Dún Laoghaire Rathdown councillors Melisa Halpin, Dave O’Keeffe and Hugh Lewis joined the protestors to show their support for the NCBI and the many people who avail of the service. 

One local service user, Michael Griffith, from Shankill, said the threatened closure of the centre would pose considerable difficulties for locals and other Southsiders. “This affects many people who use the service,” he said. “If it closes we will be forced to go out to Tallaght or Drumcondra to use the services there.

“As you can imagine, this poses enormous challenges for the visually impaired, as the journey is confusing.

“In either direction it could take over an hour and a half on public transport to go to either location. I’ve been coming here to Dun Laoghaire for over five years and I would be devastated if it closed.

“But I can assure you, we’re not going to go away until this is resolved. We are getting great support from across the board and from people from all walks of life.”

A spokesperson speaking on behalf of the NCBI said: “Discussions are ongoing within the NCBI on the future of our Dun Laoghaire office and we are due to meet representatives of the HSE on Monday.”

Deputy Boyd Barret said there was a good turnout at the protest with over 40 people attending.

“Actually, the good turnout doesn’t surprise me, as this issue affects literally hundreds of people,” he said. “This office serves people across a massive swath of South Dublin, from Ringsend and all the way out to Greystones and beyond, so it really is a big deal.”

Deputy Boyd Barret revealed that they had been in touch with the NCBI, the Minister for Health and the HSE highlighting local concerns.

“We want a full explanation and details into the decision making behind this closure,” he added.

Meanwhile, a public meeting called to save Markievicz Pool in Townsend Street was held in Liberty Hall last week.

According to Annette Mooney, the local People Before Profit representative, there are plans to demolish the popular amenity to make way for the Metrolink station.

“Thousands use this public pool and gym and local children learn to swim there. But so far, no announcements have been made for an alternative facility,” Ms Mooney said. “Dublin City Council has already stated in the past that there must be a modern leisure facility which must include a 25-metre-long by six-lane wide swimming pool in the area.

"Yet there are no other public leisure centres with a 25-metre swimming pool in the Dublin city centre.

 "Closing the pool goes against all recommendations on the need for more physical activity,” she added. “A recent Healthy Ireland reports stated that a large number of Irish people are not meeting the levels of physical activity recommended in the national guidelines.

“Access to gyms and swimming pools should not depend on the size of your wallet.

 "There are alternative locations for a Metrolink station which does not require the demolition of the swimming pool – such as a derelict Apollo house site which is nearby."

Dublin City Council said they had no comment.

to make.