This article is from page 25 of the 2008-04-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 25 JPG
THE Citizens Information Service launched its Polish information serv- ice last Friday in the Queen’s Hotel, [Syeyevay
The Ennis and Scariff offices are providing a trained Polish informa- tion assistant to deal with clients who do not a have good command of English.
According to the service’s man- ager, Paul Woulfe, the most common queries relate to employment issues, income support and child benefit.
The Mayor of Clare, Cllr Patricia McCarthy, performed the launch of the service. Fr Tomasz Dauszkie-
wicz, chaplain to the Polish commu- nity in Clare provided a blessing.
“Integration not segregation is the key to a successful multi-cultural so- ciety, said Mayor McCarthy.
Integration should not mean for- getting your own country, language, culture or heritage. These are what form character and personality. Un- fortunately for many, economic cir- cumstances mean having to leave one’s family and country in order to seek employment.
“It is important that in bringing the language and traditions of home to a new country they do not become a barrier to integration and self ad- vancement. Rather they can enrich
your new community as you actively participate in local activities.
“The difficulties associated with setting up home in a strange country cannot be underestimated. Irish peo- ple are well aware of difficulties and obstacles,” said Mayor McCarthy.
“The Polish information service will provide information on rights and entithements. Equally impor- tantly the centre will also provide a listening ear and voice offering en- couragement, assistance and support as required.” she said.
Representatives of the Polish com- munity from across the county at- tended the launch.
Mr Woulfe outlined a number of
initiatives to meet the information needs of foreign nationals in the county. These include a dedicated advocacy service to assist with em- ployment and social welfare appeals and documents translated in various languages on the web.
Ola Szostak, the new information officer, 1s providing these initiatives.