THE dispute which disrupted emergency payments to the homeless, refugees and asylum seekers in Dublin has been resolved.
Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) and ancillary staff resumed work at 2.30 p.m. after agreeing to accept a temporary solution to their concerns over safety and working conditions.
The city's 600 homeless clients will be dealt with as usual at the West Sharles Street premises of the Eastern Health Board from this morning. The Irish Refugee Council is providing a centre, through a local religious body, to distribute payments to some 300 refugees today. From next Monday refugees will be dealt with by CWOs from health board premises in Castle Street.
Staff at West Charles Street walked off the premises on Tuesday because of overcrowding and violent incidents. A recent health and safety audit resulted in a recommendation that staff wear "anti stab jackets". During the dispute staff provided essential services by freephone and outreach operations.
Under the new arrangements, three additional CWOs are to be appointed to augment services for refugees and asylum seekers. An extra clerical worker and two porters will also be appointed.
The EHB has given a commitment to produce a detailed plan within two weeks on the provision of long term services to meet the emergency needs of the homeless, refugees and asylum seekers. The IMPACT assistant general secretary, Mr Sean McHugh, said afterwards that while the interim arrangements were far from satisfactory, his members and those in SIPTU were anxious to resume services to their clients, particularly as many had not received payments this week.