Claire Kerrane
Question:568. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of outreach offices in which community welfare officers are providing appointments to persons. [23366/22]
View answerTuesday, 10 May 2022
Questions (568)
Written answers
My Department is committed to a Community Welfare Service (CWS) that remains a flexible service to meet the varied needs of vulnerable people and the continued availability of local access to a CWO is a key feature of the service.
CWOs can facilitate emergency and in-person meetings in all Intreo Centres across business hours, five days per week. Some CWOs are based in Social Welfare Branch Offices and provide appointments at those offices. A person can be seen by appointment in any Branch Office.
In addition to meeting citizens in Intreo Centres, Branch Offices and DSP offices, Community Welfare Officers can facilitate an appointment with a person at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home.
As part of my continued commitment to improve the CWS across the country, citizens no longer have to meet in person with a CWO to make a claim. Application forms are available on www.gov.ie and at any Intreo Centre or Branch Office.
Consultations with a CWO are available via phone, at our offices and if the need arises a direct home visit appointment can be arranged depending on the person's need. All applications for assistance are dealt with promptly by officials.
This change is a significant enhancement to the service offered to citizens as it means that those who require assistance no longer need to visit an office or wait to make a claim or wait to access the service.
I trust this clarifies the matter.