PICTURES: Minister attends grand opening of new Citizens Information Centre in Tipperary

The new Clonmel Citizens Information Centre was officially opened on Thursday, April 16 by Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary TD, marking an important milestone for the service in the town.

Darren Ryan, who is Regional Manager of North Munster Citizens Information Service, welcomed those who attended the official opening of the vital service in Clonmel town.

“I think having representatives from the community here today speaks volumes of the type of service that the citizens information service is. It's embedded very deeply in the very foundations of the town of Clonmel. 
And I suppose when I think of citizen's information in Clonmel I must acknowledge and thank everybody who has gone before us.”

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Mr Ryan paid special tribute to Derek Fanning’s father Noel who was one of the very first group of 12 volunteers who gathered in Clonmel back in 1978.

Derek is now the manager of Tipperary Volunteer Centre, keeping the spirit of community service alive in the family.

Also present at the gathering was Mayor of Clonmel Pat English, North Munster Citizens Information Service Chair Martin Quinn, Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary TD and local councillors from Tipperary. 

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Mayor Pat English thanked all of those who are involved with the centre and the service that it provides for the town.

“I hope each and every one of you and everyone associated with the centre will continue your great work in service and I hope the next 48 years will be as prosperous as the last 48,” said English.

Chair of the North Munster Citizens Information Service Martin Quinn explained to the crowd why a service like Citizens Information is so important to those living in the community.

“People still need people. With all that's happening in the world of AI and everything like that, this is an example of how much people are needed. They need somebody to listen. Someone to guide. Someone to care, and the issues that come through these doors are the real issues of everyday life. They are the issues of social welfare, of housing, of local services. The matters that shape people's lives and well being,” he said.

Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary TD echoed Mr Quinn’s words in his statement to the crowd.

“I think Martin has given you a sense of what happens here. Things get changed here. Outcomes get changed. People get helped along very difficult journeys. People get listened to. 
And that's the most important thing. A listening ear can be as important as the assistance,” he told the crowd.

The new Clonmel Citizens Information Centre is located at Tower House, New Quay, Clonmel, E91 K2F4.