‘Devastating blow to the community’ – Hearty on Crossmaglen Jobs and Benefits Office closure

Sinn Fein councillor Terry Hearty has commented on the news that the rental contract for the Jobs and Benefits office in Crossmaglen is not to be renewed after April, saying if this office is to close it will  have a devastating effect on to the community.

Speaking to Newry Times, Councillor Hearty stated, “This news is a further blow to the people of Crossmaglen, as the Jobs and Benefits Office provided a pivotal service and many people avail of the facility.

“This will have a knock on effect to other businesses in the area, as people availing of this service would have visited the local shops.

“The town has seen a number of closures in the last few years, such as the bank, and the hours of the library have been reduced resulting in a high rate of unemployment in the area.

“Unfortunately some of the people who avail of this vital service do not drive and will have to use public transport; there is a poor bus service that only goes at set hours so this will further affect them.

He added, “My party colleague MLA Mickey Brady has been in touch with social services and we intend to follow this up.”

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Posted by Newry Times News on Feb 4 2013. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry