The Galway City Council can recruit a housing ethnic officer, an anti-social behaviour officer, and a caretaker for older tenants, as government money for such posts has been available since 2007.
This is the view of Fianna Fáil Cllr Mary Leahy who has called on the council to make use of the funds and hire the new officers.
According to the Galway City East councillor, in 2007 the Department of Environment Sustainable Communities Fund awarded the council funding on a project-by-project basis for three projects for a period of up to three years.
Successful projects were to improve the quality of life in areas such as social inclusion, equality, diversity, and special needs initiatives.
“I have lobbyied to have these posts filled since last spring,” said Cllr Leahy. “Although I have received recent assurances that two of the three the positions will be advertised this month, I have been informed by officials that the position of varetaker for older tenants may not now go ahead and the funding will be returned to Government.”
Cllr Leahy is now calling on the council to “proceed immediately” with the advertisements of all three of the posts.
“I am seeking a reversal of the decision not to proceed with the employment of the caretaker for older persons,” she said. “There are numerous older persons living independently within the community who need to be supported to remain on their own homes.
“Often it is the simplest of support, such as making safe hazards within their homes and providing a level of reassurance and security that allows older people to remain comfortable in their own homes. They would be outraged to learn that this vital funding would be returned to Government.”
