Resolution to staffing crisis at community centre to be agreed

A RESOLUTION to the staffing crisis at Cherry Orchard Community Centre is due to be agreed within the coming weeks.

Staffing levels decreased dramatically when Dublin City Council found it difficult to attract new people on local CE scheme roles to work at the centre, despite advertising the roles online.

According to a council report at the recent area meeting, the centre had 14 CE staff in late 2017 but only have six currently.

As a result, opening hours have been cut back slightly, and groups operate at the centre at reduced numbers and limited times.

Speaking at the Dublin South Central area meeting last week, Dave O’Donovan, a DCC project manager in the area, said they hope to have good news shortly.

“We have been actively seeking general operative and I would hope within the next couple of weeks, post-Christmas, to have good news regarding the increase of staff there,” said Mr O’Donovan.

Cllr Daithí Doolan (SF) raised a Motion at the Dublin South Central area meeting last week, calling for the centre to be provided with three general operatives, and said it was a “service we can’t afford to lose”.

“It has been very welcoming to myself and constituents, it provided a very important service during the snow storm, and the service has gone on from strength to strength. It’s unfortunate that we can’t have all the services in the centre simply because we don’t have the staff.”

Cllr Hazel De Nortúin (PBP) repeated a call she made at an area meeting last month, for councillors to help in any way possible with regard to funding and resources.

Cllr Vincent Jackson (Ind), who has criticised the Dept of Social Protection scheme for the lack of incentives and money it offers participants, said it shows how “precarious community buildings are”.

“They are being run on schemes, community employment schemes, JI schemes which is winding down.

“When the market forces change, people are moved off these schemes, and it does leave a lot of facilities in a vulnerable situation,” said Cllr Jackson.