Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1212. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the re-opening of the Intreo office on the Navan Road, Dublin 7, including the timeframe, expected service delivery and estimated population within its catchment area. [40123/22]
View answer1259. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 614 of 5 July and 617 of 12 July 2022, if she will confirm whether or not a centre (details supplied) will reopen to the public upon completion of refurbishment works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40871/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1212 and 1259 together.
Significant maintenance and upgrade works to the Intreo Centre on the Navan Road in Cabra, Dublin 7, had been scheduled for 2022. Plans were put in place for staff to transfer to other Intreo Centres for the duration of the work with arrangements made for customers to be served by other Intreo Centres.The work originally planned was premised on no significant changes being made to the services being provided by Navan Road Intreo Centre, the way those services are delivered and the layout of the building.Given the significant increase in construction and maintenance costs in recent months, including in building supplies, it was decided, before finalising the works contract, to review the future use of the building at Navan Road to ensure efficient and effective use of resources.
Any person living in the Dublin 7 area, with a catchment of some 10,000, who needs to attend an Intreo Centre can visit the Parnell Street Intreo Centre. There is also a freephone telephone number and the dedicated email addresses for Navan Road services relating to jobseeker’s payments, one-parent family payments, Public Services Cards, community welfare services and activation remain active. The quickest and easiest way for a person to apply for income supports is online at www.mywelfare.ie.
A comprehensive review was undertaken in 2021 of all services and activities delivered by the Department’s network of local offices, with the purpose of determining the best future operating models for delivering these services and activities. The review identified that significant portions of work that had previously taken place in Intreo Centres had been moved to alternative work streams, with the most significant being the processing of payments by the National Processing Team (NPT) and the handling of phone and electronic contacts by the National Intreo Contact Centre (NICC). The review also identified substantial benefits for standardising and streamlining work previously replicated across different local divisions.
In terms of the layout of the Department’s Intreo Centres, this means that instead of large waiting areas with rows of seats and multiple hatches, the Department will be providing self-service zones with interactive touch screens, child friendly spaces and autism supportive sensory rooms. The layout will reflect the fact that many customers will be there by appointment and won’t need to queue.The work in Navan Road Intreo Centre had been planned some time ago and it was considered appropriate to pause the works while further consideration was given to the optimal use of the building.
