Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 June 2013
154. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the proposals to centralise the community welfare service from some of our smaller villages into larger towns and centres of population (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31168/13]
View answerA key objective of the transfer of the Community Welfare Service from the Health Service Executive to the Department on 1st October 2011 was to provide a streamlined and consistent service to the customer.
As part of this process and to support the Department’s activation commitments under the Pathways to Work Programme, it has been necessary to review the administration of the community welfare service with the result that a number of clinics have been re-structured. Where the service has been re-structured, alternative arrangements have been put in place to ensure that customers are provided with on-going access to the supports provided by the community welfare service.
In the event that a customer has difficulty attending a clinic, for example due to illness, there is a facility to telephone local Departmental staff and discuss their case and, if required, the officer may arrange a visit to the client’s home.
