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Community Welfare Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2013

Tuesday, 15 October 2013

Questions (127)

Dara Calleary

Question:

127. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the rationale behind the closure of 12 community welfare clinics in County Donegal; if she will review the decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43086/13]

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Written answers

The Department is currently examining the operation of all services across its remit, including the Community Welfare Service. It is doing this in the context of the Pathways to Work commitments and the development of Intreo services nationally. The Pathways to Work Programme includes the provision of opportunities, support and assistance to unemployed people by intensifying the Department’s level of engagement with them, in particular, those who are, or become long-term unemployed. The new Intreo service offers practical, tailored employment services and supports for jobseekers and this new service model is currently being rolled out across the country.

Overall, this will result in some re-balancing of resources across the Departments range of activities – payment processing, control and activation and the relocation of some staff to main centres where a full range of services will be available in one location.

Accordingly, a decision has been taken to rationalise some Community Welfare Service clinics with effect from 30 September 2013. A number of clinics have been closed in Co. Donegal and the clients who had been attending these clinics will be facilitated by attending other clinics. Posters advertising these changes are being widely displayed and include a phone number where a customer can contact the Community Welfare Service in the event that s/he is unable to travel to the alternative clinic or, if required, a member of staff may arrange to visit the clients’ home.

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