Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Mar 1993

Vol. 428 No. 3

Written Answers. - Cork Social Welfare Office.

Pat Cox

Question:

36 Mr. Cox asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason accommodation is no longer available in Cork city for community welfare officers in the Southern Health Board area to pay rent and mortgage supplements at his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

My Department experienced accommodation problems at the Cork office during 1992 and was unable to conduct interviews immediately on the premises with its clients due to a shortage of suitable interviewing rooms. Accordingly, delays in processing certain claims were arising.

To improve service a restructuring of the Department's office was needed. To facilitate this it was necessary to change temporarily the arrangements the office had with the Southern Health Board regarding the payment of rent and mortgage supplements. Discussions took place with the health board and alternative arrangements have been made for a temporary period.

Rent and mortgage payments under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme continued to be paid at the Cork social welfare local office up to January 1993, when alternative and temporary arrangements were made by the Southern Health Board to pay the SWA clients through health centres in Cork city. No complaints have been received from clients and the health board is satisfied that the present arrangements are working well. In many instances clients are paid their supplements by post without having to call to the health centre.

My Department is in touch with the Southern Health Board to arrange, as soon as possible, for the payment of rent and mortgage supplements to its clients at the Department's office when they attend once a month for signing.