Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 November 2013
356. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the future of community welfare services in the Cabra area, Dublin; the length of time for which the four remaining community welfare officers will operate from the centre in Quarry Road; the way local people will engage with community welfare officers in the future; and the amount that has been spent on this service in Cabra in the past five years. [49454/13]
View answerThe Department is in the process of major organisational change following the transfer of responsibility for Community Welfare Services and FÁS employment and community employment services. In implementing this challenging programme of change, the objective is to ensure that all services provided are co-ordinated and support customers through the development of improved processes and the concentration of staff and resources in integrated units.
The Department is committed to developing and implementing a case management approach, across the full range of its services, with a focus on working with the person rather than the scheme. Skilled and knowledgeable case managers will work with individuals in need, to ensure that they not only receive the appropriate income supports but are also helped to find a way in which they can participate to the fullest extent possible in their community, economy and workforce. A case management approach with a focus on the individual, and the development of a tailored plan for each person, produces better outcomes than the traditional transaction focussed delivery of scheme services.
It is in this context that the services provided in Dublin 7 are being reviewed. The office referred to by this question is located in Quarry Road, Dublin 7 and the hours during which the services are provided are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 10.00 am to 11.00 am and Friday 10 am to 11 am for emergencies. It is also important to note that this review is ongoing and that no final decision has yet been made on the location and nature of services to be provided. The Deputy can be assured that the overall priority is better customer service and that members of the public and public representatives will be fully informed of the changes being proposed. The intention is to provide service continuity and to utilise available staff to provide a more efficient and streamlined service, and to be in a position to fully align services with the new national employment and entitlement service, Intreo, as it rolls out in the region.
There are no statistics are currently available for the amount that has been spent on the service delivered by Quarry Road Health Centre in the last 5 years. Compiling this will involve co-ordination between various organisations due the transferral of responsibility for the Community Welfare Service from the Health Service Executive to this Department, and a response will issue in when this information is to hand.
