Anger at proposals to centralise Trim and Kells Community Welfare Offices to Navan

There has been an angry reaction across the county to the news that the Community Welfare services in Trim and Kells are being centralised to Navan.

The Community Welfare Service provides additional financial support to people on a low income or getting a social welfare payment. It can also support people in particular hardship or during an emergency.

The Community Welfare Officer operated out of the Social Welfare Office in Trim and Kells. Other services will continue as normal in those offices.

Users of the service and local representatives are angry at the change which is expected to see an end to face to face appointments with Community welfare Officers.

Cllr Noel French said it was a awful decision as the service is badly needed.

"Many of those who rely on this service are very vulnerable, some may have difficulties with reading or writing, some have mental health problems and they need the face to face service the local office provided.

"What is being proposed now is that they get forms from the local social welfare office or download them and post them to Navan.

"It is horrible to think that it is now becoming a faceless services," he said.

Cllr Aisling Dempsey said she would be raising the issue at national level to seek a u-turn on this decision, or at the very least a pause until local representatives are communicated with and the public in general understand the changes.

"Our CWO is extremely active and efficient, now they will have to wait until each application is processed in Navan before it is allocated. Standardisation of processes - all fine; removal entirely of the face to face contact is not," she said.

Cllr Paul MC Cabe said the plans need to be reversed. "People in Kells and North Meath need this service to remain locally. I have written to Minister Heather Humphreys outlining my concern and requesting that Kells keeps this vital service," he said.