Joan Collins
Question:13. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider opening a new community welfare office in Crumlin. [50844/13]
View answerThursday, 28 November 2013
Questions (13)
Written answers
The Department is in the process of major organisational change following the transfer of responsibility for the Community Welfare Services and FÁS employment and community employment services. 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 administering a range of benefits. 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. 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 will produce better outcomes than the traditional transaction focused delivery of scheme services.
It is in this context that the delivery of Community Welfare Services in Dublin 12 has changed. The Department is progressing a number of elements to integrate services and to deliver a more efficient and effective service. Rationalisation and reorganisation in Dublin 12 has occurred over the past 6 months and continues to be under review. Rent and Mortgage Supplements are now dealt with centrally through a phone and postal service. An integrated decision making process has been introduced in Bishop’s Square Intreo Office, where people applying for primary payments such as jobseeker’s allowance, jobseeker’s benefit and one parent family payment now no longer need to present to a local Community Welfare Officer for an interim payment.
The remainder of the Community Welfare Service for Dublin 12 is now being delivered through the formation of a Hub (team based approach). This Hub was to be permanently located in Parnell Road Health Centre but preparatory works uncovered a number of structural flaws in the building. It therefore became necessary to move this service to Castle Street in order to ensure continuity of service. Cashel Road Health Centre had already been designated by the Health Service Executive for closure.
Notwithstanding these changes the full range of Community Welfare Services continues to be delivered to Dublin 12. It also remains the intention of the Department to return this service in some form locally to Dublin 12 and options are being explored in order to facilitate this. The service offered from Castle Street includes public opening hours as follows: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 2.15pm-3.30pm, and Friday 2.15pm-3.00pm. An outreach clinic by appointment is operating from Dublin City Council offices in Crumlin Village. These services are also supplemented by home visits and by the phone and postal service. The staff and service will be operated in a flexible manner so as to accommodate people experiencing difficulties in accessing Castle Street whether this is for mobility reasons or other personal circumstance.