Threat To Move Over 80 Government Paid Staff From Thurles

Revenue Commissioners

The Civil Public and Services Union (CPSU) representing employees at the Revenue Commissioners office in Thurles say that no decision has been made, as yet, to move 80 plus workers out of Thurles to Cashel.

Grave concerns have been expressed in recent days over the suggestion that the Office of Public Works (OPW) now intend to move existing staff working in the Revenue Service and relocate same to new premises identified in Cashel some 16 miles from Thurles.

The Office of Public Works have suggested that the move is now necessary to facilitate a more centralised growth to present social welfare services operating out of the present Revenue offices situated at Stradavoher here in Thurles.

The CPSU state that they are aware of approaches already made by the OPW and have made contact with the Revenue Commissioners seeking further clarification regarding this OPW proposed decision.

Thurles Chamber President Mr John O’Shaughnessy stated this morning that any such effort to move Revenue personnel from Thurles would spell a further economic downturn for a town already dwelling under a severe economic black cloud, and would further increase unemployment in the area. Mr O’Shaughnessy stated that he fully accepted the putting in place of a more consolidated social welfare unit in Thurles, thus contributing to overall improved services, but said that the solution was to be found in the provision or expansion of badly needed permanent government office space within Thurles and not the dismantling and removing of established jobs, to the detriment of local business, as apparently currently being proposed by the OPW.

Around Thurles this morning abide whispered accusations that this proposed move is being prompted more by unwanted southern Tipperary political interference, rather than by any need to centralise social welfare services. Many are now calling for their elected political representatives to further clarify the government’s position regarding this matter.

Thurles ‘Unemployment Figures’ for May of this year show an increase of some 27 people being added to the live register, with some 1,037 commercial premises now lying unused in Co Tipperary according to GeoDirectory figures supplied for the first quarter of 2014.

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