Sorca Clarke
Question:9. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection when in-person appointments will resume in social protection offices. [48665/21]
View answerThursday, 7 October 2021
Questions (9)
Written answers
I can confirm to the Deputy that in-person appointments are available at all Intreo centres and that all of these center's are open 5 days per week, as are our branch offices. Offices are open for walk-in service each morning and appointment all day to 5pm.
If a person wishes to make an in-person appointment for any of the Department's services, they can contact their local Intreo Centre or Branch Office and an appointment will be arranged for them. Contact details for all our offices are available on www.gov.ie.
The health and safety of members of the public and of staff in my Department is of paramount importance. For in-person appointments, we continue to observe public health measures including the use of screens and hand sanitiser. The duration of all in-person appointments are kept as short as practically possible and social distancing guidelines are observed at all times.
We did however enhance and develop other means of accessing services during the Pandemic including by telephone and online and, for most people, these have worked well. We would encourage people to continue to use these options wherever possible.
Many people are now using www.gov.ie to obtain information and our easy to use online portal www.MyWelfare.ie to apply for various income supports.
We expect the high uptake of both online and in-person services to continue.