The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE) on behalf of the Department. Late last year agreement was reached between the HSE and unions representing the Community Welfare Officers that the staff of the Community Welfare Service (CWS) would transfer to the Department of Social Protection with effect from 1st January 2011 on a secondment basis initially. The period of secondment is to last for 9 months until the end of September 2011. From 1 October 2011 it is intended that the staff of the CWS will be transferred fully to the Department as civil servants.
In the context of the transfer of functions from the HSE to the Department a number of Transition Managers were appointed from within the CWS, to work with the Department to oversee the transfer of the service. These managers have responsibility for the day to day delivery of services.
The CWS has advised that the catchment areas for Community Welfare Officer (CWO) clinics in Crumlin and Terenure were re-configured approximately 15 years ago and that the current arrangements for the delivery of services have been in place since then.
The Department is committed to working closely with the CWS to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of services.
