Citizens Information Service defends closure of Rathmines centre

Dublin South Citizens Information Service (CIS) has disputed the claim that staff at the Rathmines Citizens Information Centre on Wynnefield Road were reportedly only given one week’s notice before the centre closed down in late April.

The information centre was shut on Friday, April 22 as part of a larger plan by the Citizens Information Board to consolidate physical services and move towards an online platform.

However, a volunteer at the centre who did not wish to be named, says that staff were only given one week’s notice of the closure while volunteers like themselves were never officially told.

“The premises has been for sale for two years but no efforts were made in this time, it would appear, to find alternative premises in the immediate area,” they say.

“Staff were told only a week before closure and realised then, what they had suspected, that there had been no attempt to find alternative local premises.”

However, Simon Monds, Regional Manager of the Dublin South CIS says that the allegation “is incorrect.”

“The staff in Rathmines CIC were informed on 7th March that the office had been sold and that the Centre must be vacated by May 24.

“Since then the Board of Management of Dublin South CIS have worked with our staff to accommodate them within an alternative Dublin South CIS information centre,” he says.

“No staff were let go as a result of the sale of the Rathmines office, and all staff will be accommodated in our offices.”

A statement from the Dublin South CIS said it was “aware that the closure of the Rathmines premises may create an inconvenience for people in Rathmines.

“We have looked to minimise this through the delivery of services in our office in the Carmelite Centre on Aungier Street, and our Crumlin CIC office on Sundrive Road,” it said.

“We are in advanced discussions in relation to a new Meath Street location, which we hope will be opened as soon as possible.

“This potential premises is located 2.8 km from the current Rathmines office,” the statement reads.

The Dublin South CIS said that the Carmelite Centre reopened on May 5 while it is “hopeful” that the Meath Street location will open shortly and “will offer greater ease of accessibility” for its users.

Our source says that there was “no decent communication between workers and those making the decision to end Rathmines.

“Morale was poor and a couple people resigned.”

In addition to the Rathmines Citizens Information Centre offering “normal information and advocacy services,” says the volunteer, it also provided Free Legal Advice (FLAC), employment services, immigration advice, and tax and financial advice.

The volunteer says that the future of Citizens Information Centres in Dublin are “under threat” and the loss of such offices will have a detrimental effect on service users.

Local TD and Labour party Ivana Bacik said the closure of the Rathmines office was a “disappointment”.

“Groups disproportionately impacted upon include some older people, people with certain disabilities, those with literacy challenges, and those without IT skills,” Bacik said.

“We already saw these negative effects borne out during the temporary closure of in-person services due to Covid-19.

“This permanent closure marks a sad day for the local community in Dublin Bay South.”

Deputy Bacik says that the building which houses the centre has been up for sale for some time, but she had hoped the service would not be lost completely.

“It is vital that all people have access to impartial and free advice, advocacy and information on social services,” she said.

“This entitlement must be extended to all, regardless of ability to access the internet or travel into the City Centre.

“It is recognised that a shift to online services is inevitable; for many people, such a shift is very welcome. However, the transition must not leave anyone behind,” she said.