asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of social welfare officers who interview and assess the means of claimants for social welfare payments in the Dublin city and county area; the grade of such persons; and the training which is required for the job.
Written Answers. - Personnel who Assess Means of Social Welfare Claimants.
50.
There are 60 social welfare officers involved at present in the assessment of means of social assistance applicants in Dublin city and county.
The grade of social welfare officer is a departmental one. It has its own salary scale which reaches the same maximum as that of a higher executive officer in the Civil Service. Social welfare officers, on entering the civil service, undergo a four month period of training covering all aspects of the work, under the guidance of an experienced colleague. In this period a brief group-training course may also be given.
For a further period of eight months they are assigned to assist mature colleagues or do duty for absent staff members, under the guidance of their supervisors. After 12 months they are entitled to apply for a vacant social welfare station, if available.
The performance of new social welfare officers in their early years is closely monitored by their supervisors, who give them advice and guidance, as necessary.
During the training period, and indeed throughout their career, the obligation on these officers to be courteous, helpful, and sensitive in assisting applicants to get their entitlements is stressed, as well as their duty to prevent fraud.