Douglas Shopping Centre To Be Closed For 'Weeks If Not Months'

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection have issued social welfare advice for people who have been made unemployed as a result of the fire in Douglas Shopping Centre in Cork.

A fire broke out at the shopping centre on the evening of Saturday 31 August. At its height 12 fire appliances attended the fire, which is understood to have caused extensive damage to the centre's structure.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

It is understood that management have now informed businesses that the Centre will be closed for "weeks if not months".

The Department has advised those who have been made unemployed as a result of the fire to contact their local Intreo Centre to apply for social welfare support.

The Department has also set up a phone number and email address where those affected can get information and advice on social welfare entitlements.

The contact phone number is 021 4943144. It is open from 10.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday (including lunchtime). The email address is corkabbeycourt@welfare.ie.

The Department's Intreo Service in Cork city is also available for information and advice.

Intreo Centres in Cork:

• Abbey Court House, George's Quay

• Cork Intreo Centre, Hanover Street, Cork

Opening hours for these Intreo Centres are:

• Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 9.15am to 5.00pm (including lunchtime)

• Thursday: 10.15am to 5.00pm (including lunchtime)

• Friday: 9.15am to 4.30pm (including lunchtime)

Post Office Arrangements –

Arrangements have been made for social welfare customers who, up to now, attended the Post Office in Douglas Shopping Centre to attend the Post Office in SuperValu, Blackrock instead where they can collect their Child Benefit and other welfare payments.

Social Welfare Branch Offices

There are a number of Social Welfare Branch Offices in Cork available for employees and employers living in those areas.

(MH/JG)