Vol. 409 No. 4
186 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason social welfare officers on leave are not replaced, thus creating hardship for applicants and persons appealing decisions; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that files may not be dealt with for up to one month in some cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In general, social welfare officers have fixed areas, called stations, and they investigate claims arising under every scheme as required by the circumstances. The majority of cases result in a visit to the claimant's home. However, I have introduced various new arrangements to achieve quicker results for claimants. These changes, which can be viewed as having a degree of self-assessment, are being progressively extended.
At present, there are 220 stations. There are 286 social welfare officers. Some of the extra social welfare officers would be relatively new recruits, others provide cover when an officer is absent for any reason and the remainder are mainly involved in the investigation of serious abuses.
When officers are on leave or ill, arrangements are made to have all essential work undertaken by other social welfare officers. Priority is given, in such circumstances, to means investigations and related work.
