Vol. 505 No. 7
28 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if arrangements have been made to ensure the level of service available to customers of the departmental staffed local offices are now also available to cus tomers of branch offices; and if arrangements for appropriate levels of remuneration have been finalised. [14429/99]
In addition to the 57 social welfare local offices which are departmentally staffed, there are 71 branch offices which are managed on a contract basis by branch managers.
The programme to computerise these branch offices was recently completed. The computerisation of these offices allowed for the introduction of less frequent signing and the abolition of cash payments at these offices. Unemployed persons who sign at branch offices are now in a similar situation to those who sign at social welfare local offices in that they are required to sign once every four weeks and they receive their payment each week at the local post office.
Computerisation of the branch offices has meant a change in the traditional workload in these offices and in this regard my Department recently reached agreement with the branch managers' association on a revised remuneration package and the introduction of changes in work practice.
The agreement allows for the introduction of new work into the branch offices. Specifically, the role these offices play in delivering information to customers will be enhanced. In this regard a training programme is being put in place for branch managers and their staff.
Arrangements are also being made for the introduction of the remote certificate entry system in these offices. This facility allows disability benefit recipients to have their medical certificates entered to the system locally instead of posting them to the headquarters section in Dublin.
The new agreement also requires the branch managers to improve the standard of accommodation they provide where this is deemed necessary.
The agreement provides the basis for a significant improvement in the level of service at branch offices and will enable these offices to be developed in parallel with the Department's own offices to meet the needs of customers.
