Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 October 2009
309 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress made to date on the transfer of the community welfare service to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34866/09]
View answerThe Government decided in February 2006 that the Community Welfare Service would transfer to the Department from the Health Service Executive to administer the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Provision has been made in the Social Welfare and Pensions Acts 2007 and 2008 for the transfer of the administration of the SWA scheme from the HSE to the Department. These provisions are subject to a Commencement Order.
A considerable amount of preparatory work, to allow for the transfer, has been completed but progress has been stalled due to industrial relations issues. Following consultation between the Department and the Health Sector Management the Labour Relations Commission was asked to intervene. A meeting of the parties took place on 22 September in the LRC and further meetings are planned for October. The management side's intention is to reach a collective agreement with the unions as soon as is practical so that the transfer can be implemented as early as possible in 2010. Discussions have also taken place with the unions representing the staff in the Department in relation to the transfer proposal.
The integration of the Community Welfare Service into the Department will result in a more coordinated approach to the provision of service to the public and to the removal of duplication of work effort by staff. The transfer will not lead to any changes in the exercise of discretion by Community Welfare Officers when dealing with applications for Supplementary Welfare Allowance. The flexibility and responsiveness which is inherent in the scheme will remain. I am anxious that every effort is now made to complete the arrangements for the transfer in accordance with the Government decision. I am confident that the concerns of all the staff involved can now be dealt with.
