Minister Regina Doherty attending Longford Government Offices’ 25th anniversary celebration

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, TD, is today attending the Longford Government Offices’ 25th Anniversary Celebration at Government Buildings, Ballinalee Road, Longford.

The event is to mark the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the official opening of Longford Government Offices. The Minister will be unveiling a plaque in memory of deceased colleagues and friends who worked in the offices.

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A number of Local Oireachtas members and County Councillors will be in attendance along with current staff of the Department, former staff who are now working in other Departments as well as retired staff who previously worked in the office.

There are currently just over 400 Department staff working in the offices. Staff in these offices administer a number of schemes, including Disability Allowance, Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit, Invalidity Pension, Working Family Payment and a number of other illness and disability-related schemes.

The Department’s Intreo Centre, which serves the Longford, Rooskey, Tarmonbarry, Strokestown, Mullaghhoran, Gowna, Loughduff and Arva areas is also based here.

In addition, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Road Safety Authority’s Driver Test Centre also have offices in the building.

Speaking about the Anniversary celebration, Minister Doherty said, “I am delighted to attend the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the official opening of the Government Buildings here in Longford.

“The staff here in the Department’s Centralised Schemes Office are responsible for the central administration of payments that issue to 330,000 people across the country each week, providing an essential support for some of the most vulnerable people in the State – people with illnesses or disabilities, those caring for them and families on low incomes.

“Along with the Department’s Intreo Centre, serving all Longford County and other areas, the Department’s staff working in this building provide essential assistance and supports to our citizens on both a national and a local scale.

“I would like to acknowledge the valuable work and dedication the Department staff have shown over the last 25 years and recognise the contribution and the difference the people working in this Office have made.”

Front page of the Longford Leader from Friday, March 4, 1994 which featured the February 25, 1994 official opening of the Longford Government Offices