Citizens Information Dublin South recently announced its move from the Liberties to a new ground floor, accessible building on Usher Street.
The new premises will allow Citizens Information to expand its important community service to people across Dublin South Central.
The Citizen Information Centre has a long history at 90 Meath Street where it has served generations of locals and visitors to the area.
Services at 90 Meath Street were impacted by COVID-19 restrictions and the move will mean a return of these services, along with some new additions.
What can people expect at the new Usher Street service?
Return of Walk-in Service: 4 new weekly walk-in clinics to improve accessibility of the service in the community. These will be phased in from mid October 2024 and times will be shared on Citizeninformation.ie
Citizens Information will continue to provide its outreach and walk-in service at the Carmelite Centre on Aungier Street three mornings a week (currently Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 am to 12 pm)
Return of Volunteers: With the additional space available at Usher Street the service can now recruit and train new volunteers, something which was not possible due to limited space at 90 Meath Street. Volunteers are an important part of the fabric of Citizens information and add to the richness of the service to the community
History in the Community: 90 Meath Street is also home to the South Inner City Community Development Association (SICCDA), who first provided information to the community as far back as 30 years ago. This led to the Liberties becoming part of the formal national Citizen Information Network. ‘The association continues, as more recently SICCDA merged with Robert Emmet CDP to form The Liberties Community Project, and the new Citizen Information Service on Usher Street is right next door to the former Robert Emmet community.
Continuing a great legacy: Staff, volunteers and clients have shared many treasured memories at 90 Meath Street. And while there is some sadness at leaving the Liberties, happily Usher Street remains in the community at just a short walk away. Citizens Information staff look forward to seeing old faces, and welcoming new ones.
More about Dublin South Central Citizens Information:
Citizens Information is a free service which helps people with their rights and entitlements including social welfare applications and appeals, employment issues, housing, health, education and consumer issues. The Dublin South Central service has supported clients with over 1000 queries a month this year and last.??The service is renowned for its support of clients with difficult situations that require advocacy support.? So far in 2024, the service has supported clients in 80 short-term advocacy cases, and 64 more complex long-term cases.? These were cases of a range of issues including advocacy on social welfare appeals, employment, housing and equality discrimination.
Liberties Citizens Information Centre and the Carmelite Outreach provide a service to all of Dublin South Central, as part of the larger South Dublin Citizen Information Service, with head office in Hainault House, Tallaght, County Dublin.