TÁNAISTE OFFICIALLY OPENS SWORDS CITIZENS INFORMATION CENTRE

Mary Harney, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment today (Monday 30th November, 1998) officially opened the new Citizen Information Centre, (C.I.C) in Swords, Co. Dublin.

Speaking at the official opening the Tánaiste said "the availability of good quality information and advice is essential and there is a clear onus on Government Departments and their agencies to provide information on their respective programmes. However, it is equally important that information should not be the sole preserve of State Agencies. A properly resourced and developed independent information centre can provide an extremely important element of choice to its clients. This new centre in Swords is a prime example of such a facility."

There are 85 Citizens Information Centres around the country providing a free, independent and confidential information service to the public on entitlements and services. They are registered with the National Social Services Board.

Swords Citizens Information Centre first started as an outreach of Malahide C.I.C. in 1984 and in 1986 it became an independent centre. The centre is open office hours, five days a week. It is also open every Thursday evening for legal information. There are 44 staff attached to the centre, including 34 volunteers and 6 solicitors offering specialist advice. The average number of clients using the centre is 300 per month. This is a 100% increase since they moved premises this year.

Concluding the Tánaiste said "the move to new premises has been a welcome one for both staff and clients. The level of queries to the centre has doubled since then which shows how vital the service has become to the community and how much it is appreciated by the people of Swords and the surrounding areas. I would like to congratulate all those involved in the centre and I wish the centre continued success in the future."