Deputy Willie Penrose has condemned the decision of the Government to close the District Veterinary Office (DVO ) at Bellview, Mullingar as part of its reorganisation of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food local office network.
According to Deputy Penrose, the closure of the office was “ludicrous and senseless”, and he was highly critical of the manner in which the decision was communicated to staff of the Mullingar office.
“The staff at Mullingar had to find out for themselves what was happening, as even the communication with these loyal staff, some of whom have up to 40 years’ service was hamfisted to say the least,” he said.
“Many of these staff have spent all their working life in the District Veterinary Office in Mullingar, and to be informed in this fashion that they are one of the list of ‘local offices’ to be ‘vacated’, and relocated to Tullamore was mind-boggling, as they had no inkling they were on the agenda for this decision.
“This office has been operating for about 53 years, and in that time it has been recognised as one of the most efficiently run offices in the country, as evidenced by the fact that it was selected as a pilot office for numerous Department surveys over the years...Indeed in recent times, the office has been mooted for an award under the Conserve Energy Scheme.”
Farmers from north Westmeath will now have to travel as far as Tullamore to avail of certain veterinary services, said the TD.
“Many farmers with reactor herds have occasion to attend personally at the DVO to obtain permits in order to slaughter their animals, and it is the position now that many of these farmers will have to travel long distances from north Westmeath, for example to Tullamore.
“Being able to access the office and talk directly to a member of staff, and discuss relevant issues and get appropriate advice, was and is essential for the farming public, and this is now to be ended, by a peremptory decision on the part of Government.
“One must ask why one of the most successful offices has been overlooked for enhancement? Indeed, I am given to understand that the office in Tullamore has currently no space available to accommodate any additional personnel, and in fact if the move goes ahead, the Government will have to rent additional facilities to accommodate the staff. This demonstrates how illogical this proposal is and it should be withdrawn without further ado, as there are clearly going to be no savings involved in this ill-conceived move.”
