Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 3

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Entitlements.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

338 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the cost of providing every social welfare recipient with a comprehensive guide to their entitlements in 2001, including budget 2001 changes. [26608/00]

The main source of information of a comprehensive nature on social welfare entitlements is the Guide to Social Welfare Services which is a comprehensive booklet giving a broad outline of all social welfare services. It is supported by a further range of individual leaflets and booklets giving more detailed information on each of the schemes and services available.

These are widely available through my Department's network of over 130 local and branch offices, and through other outlets such as the Citizens' Information Centres operating under the auspices of Comhairle. Information staff in all of these offices are available to inform, advise and assist customers in relation to their entitlements.

The provision of comprehensive information in a clear and simple manner is an essential element in the effective delivery of social welfare services. It remains a priority within my Department to ensure that people are made aware of their rights and advised and assisted when the need arises to avail of benefits or allowances to which they are entitled.

All developments and improvements in social welfare services are widely advertised using an appropriate mix of media at local and national level. Selective use is also made of freephone services to provide information on the introduction of new schemes or, for example, at budget time.

It is the Department's experience that information is of most benefit when it is targeted at particular groups and addresses the specific needs of such groups. In this regard, over the past year, my Department has issued customised infor mation booklets to over 550,000 people in receipt of payments including pensions, carer's allowance, disability allowance, invalidity pensions and one-parent family payments. Prior to that, arrangements were also made to provide all people in receipt of unemployment payments with detailed information on the range of work, training and education options available.
This process of direct information mailshots to customers will continue next year and will include detailed information on changes arising from the forthcoming budget. I am well aware of the important role of public representatives in relation to the provision of information, advice and assistance on social services generally and my Department will ensure that they are kept informed of changes and developments as they arise.
Top
Share