Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 December 2018
524. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she has or is taking to address issues faced by returning emigrants in terms of information on and access to social welfare entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51752/18]
View answerThe Citizens Information Board, which comes under the aegis of my Department, is the statutory body responsible for supporting the provision of independent information, advice and advocacy on the broad range of public and social services.
Information is provided through the nationwide network of 260 Citizens Information Centres, and through the Citizens Information Phone Service (0761 07 9000) which operates from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday and on the website www.citizensinformation.ie. The website has a section with specific information on social welfare entitlements which is of interest to Irish citizens returning to live in Ireland. Service and information about Social Welfare entitlements can also be accessed on my department's own website www.welfare.ie or at any of our 66 Intreo Centres or 58 Branch Offices.
In addition the department's service JobsIreland.ie provides an online recruitment service to both Employers and Jobseekers at www.jobsireland.ie. The site provides Jobseeker Profiles with a downloadable CV, and also offers a Job-Matching service.
Returning emigrants are encouraged to visit Intreo Centres and Branch Offices where they will be provided with advice on accessing benefits and the broad range of activation services. This advice will encompass:
- Benefit entitlements and application processes.
- Information on job vacancies.
- Information on Employment Supports.
- Information on Employment Schemes.
In addition the department holds a number of Jobs Fairs which seek to match jobseekers with employers and also to provide information on entitlements and Further Education and Training opportunities.
In summary returning emigrants are encouraged to engage with the department through Intreo Centres, Branch Offices our websites, and the regular Job Fairs that we support
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
