'Vital' social welfare payments service removed from huge part of Laois Reporter: '); Concerns have been raised by local public representatives over the apparent removal of a vital service in the Rathdowney Social Welfare Branch Office, a local councillor has claimed. Cllr Conor Bergin claims that some local people and charitable organisations tried to contact the Community Welfare Officer in Rathdowney in recent days but were informed that the service was no longer available and redirected to the Portlaoise Social Welfare Branch Office instead. He added that after travelling to the Portlaoise Social Welfare Office, people were informed that the service was no longer available in the Rathdowney/Borris-In-Ossory area for the last 2/3 weeks, and they would have to avail of a postal service instead. Cllr Bergin says a phone number was supplied for them to ring, but they could not get an answer after several attempts.