Thurles Citizens Information Centre open new premises at Mall House

Thurles Citizens Information Centre is delighted to announce the opening of its new office at the Mall House, Slievenamon Road, Thurles (overhead Ely’s Centra shop).

When it comes to understanding your rights and entitlements, the sheer volume of information can oftentimes be a little overwhelming. From understanding your social welfare entitlements to advice on housing and employment rights, your local Citizens Information Centre is on hand each step of the way to help you make the most informed decision possible.

At the very core of the Thurles Citizens Information Centre is its confidential information service which provides valuable information across a wide range of issues including income supports, family matters, financial issues, pensions, disability information, migration issues and education opportunities.

Pic: Information Officer Cecilia Byrne at the new Citizens Information Offices at Mall House, Thurles

“A new home, same great service”

Alongside its core information and advocacy services, Thurles CIC also offers a number of additional specialist advice services including free legal advice (FLAC) which runs on the first Thursday of every month from 7.30pm to 8.30pm and Chartered Accountants Voluntary Advice (CAVA) which offers accountancy advice to small businesses and operates on an appointment only basis.

Thurles CIC also offers supports to clients who need assistance in filling in forms or understanding personal documents.
“We also act as a listening service or sounding board for clients who come in and are unsure what their next step is. We act as a signpost to other services because oftentimes they don’t know what they are entitled to themselves or they don’t know what other services are there that could offer them support,” explains County Tipperary Development Manager Mary Plunkett.

Thurles Citizens Information Centre is part of a network of over 260 offices located around the country. In 2017, Thurles Citizens Information Centre dealt with 15,439 queries from clients across a wide range of issues.

On a broader scale Citizens Information Centres throughout county Tipperary addressed a total of 58,193 queries presented by 23,310 clients, making the county the second busiest service in the country last year.

Pic: Mary Ryan on reception at the new Citizeans Information Offices at Mall House Thurles. Photo by Eamonn McGee

About Thurles Citizens Information Centre

Since 1975, Thurles Citizens Information Centre has acted as a confidant, friend and advisor to thousands of individuals across the town and further afield.

The service initially operated from a room in the Social Services Centre in Rossa Street, opening for selected hours on a Wednesday and later Saturday. As the years passed and demand grew, the service extended its operating hours to accommodate the thousands of clients who presented with queries on a weekly basis. Eventually the service relocated to a larger premises on Croke Street in 2002 culminating in an official opening by then Minister for Social and Family Affairs Seamus Brennan TD in 2005.

Under a leadership team that has included Mary Guilfoyle, Kitty Quinn and current Development Manager Mary Plunkett, Thurles CIC has grown to provide support and information on a wide range of issues, with each volunteer and staff member bringing their own unique talents and expertise to their roles as information officers.

Today this free and confidential service is offered by Sinead and Cecilia two part time Information Officers, thirteen volunteers, and two full time staff who work for the county service.

Opening hours
Monday to Friday 10 am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm
Thursday night 7.30pm to 8.30 pm

Specialist Services
Free Legal Advice: First Thursday each month 7.30pm - 8.30pm
CAVA - Chartered Accountants Voluntary Advice (Free Accounting Advice) Second Thursday of the month 7.30pm to 8.30pm (by appointment only)

Contact us:
To contact Thurles Citizens Information Centre call 0761 07 6510 or email: thurles@citinfo.ie