This decision has been made to allow the necessary safety checks required by Fire safety Teams to ensure that the office is fit for use, in terms of health and safety, before staff return.  It is also to avoid compounding any safety issues by bringing large numbers of staff into the area during this incident.

Therefore, DfC staff working in Castle Court should not attend this office on Wednesday 29 August.  Normal services are expected to resume on Thursday 30 August.

Universal Credit service is unaffected by this closure and customers can contact us as normal. Jobseekers Allowance customers due to attend Royal Avenue Social Security Office on Wednesday 29 August will be excused and payments will not be affected. Any other customers seeking to use Royal Avenue on Wednesday 29 August should instead use the North Belfast office in the Design Centre, 39 Corporation Street, Belfast.

Unfortunately, there will be a number of services impacted by this closure. They are:

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Carers Allowance;
• Attendance Allowance;
• Welfare Supplementary Payments.

Customers for these benefits will not be able to contact the Castle Court office until 9.00am on Thursday 30 August.

Any customer requiring assistance can make contact with their local Jobs and Benefits office or Social Security office.  

The Department for Communities apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Buildings and events 

Among the places and events you can visit are:

Islandreagh Mill and Beetling Sheds, Dunadry

Visit the mills and dye works on the Islandreagh Estate, a Grade B1 listed building on the banks of the Sixmile River in Dunadry dating back to the early 1800s. You can take a guided walk in the extensive grounds.

Northern Ireland’s Secret Bunker

Located 15 feet below a field on the outskirts of Portadown lies a relic of the Cold War. The secret bunker was built to study the effects of nuclear explosions.

North Down Museum, Town Hall, Bangor Castle

North Down Museum, housed in Bangor Castle (which was built in 1852) packs a lot into a very small space.

Meet characters from long ago: monks, soldiers and Vikings, have a go at archery and calligraphy, or enjoy traditional music, poetry, storytelling and weapons demonstrations.

Marble Arch Caves

Take a guided bus tour and visit some of the sites in the Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark, with an optional nature walk and a guided tour of Marble Arch Caves.

There is an Irish language version of this event taking place on Sunday 9 September.

Springhill House, Moneymore

Visit this pretty 17th century house with an interesting costume collection, walled gardens and parkland.

There are 10 generations of family tales to enthrall you, not forgetting Ireland’s best-documented ghost: Olivia.

Lissan House and Demesne

Lissan House is at the centre of extensive parkland at the foot of the Sperrin Mountains and was the home of the Staples family from the 17th century for nearly 400 years.

The Regency tea room will be open and guided tours bring the exploits of this colourful family to life.

European Heritage Open Days events

To find a full list of European Heritage Open Days building openings and events you can either use the map viewer or download a brochure for more information.

You can also pick up a brochure from your local tourist information centre, council office, or from museums and libraries.

More useful links

Free home safety check

People with dementia, and anyone aged over 65, are can get free home safety checks provided by home safety officers from local councils.

The checks only take around 60 minutes and offer tips on all aspects of home safety.

A room-by-room inspection will identify potential risks, and advice will be given to families of people living with dementia to make their home safer. Heating and home energy efficiency advice can also be given.

Free home safety equipment can be provided and referrals can be made for free smoke alarms and expert fire advice from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

As dementia progresses, householders can also get a home assessment from occupational therapists working in Health and Social Care Trusts to make sure all practical support is provided.

This can include adaptations in the home (for example, alarms, sensors or support rails) and aids such as mobility aids and tracking devices.

For more information on how to get a home safety check, contact your local council.

Explain the hazards

Families and carers of those living with dementia can also help by explaining clearly all the hazards within the home and making sure the person with dementia is involved in all discussions.

Simple tips can help in some way to reassure those living with dementia, such as:

• writing notes about turning off electrical and gas appliances  
• having emergency phone numbers in large print beside the telephone 

All potential risks within the home should be highlighted.

More useful links