Thomas Gould
Question:1248. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of community welfare services offices in County Cork in 2011; and the number that are currently open. [40676/22]
View answerTuesday, 26 July 2022
Questions (1248)
Written answers
The Community Welfare Service (CWS) came under the remit of the Department of Social Protection in 2011. According to the Department's records there were 19 offices in Cork at that time where a person could meet with a Community Welfare Officer (CWO).
In Cork a person can meet with a CWO in 20 locations across the county. A CWO is available to meet with people at the Intreo Centre in Cork City during business hours from Monday to Friday and with people in the Carrigaline and Cobh Intreo Centres and 17 outreach locations and branch offices by appointment after receiving a request from a person. There is also a dedicated Support Centre in Hanover Street where a CWO is on site to assist Ukrainian customers.
CWOs are available to meet with a person at an alternative suitable location, including the person’s home, by appointment within a short time of a person requiring such a meeting.
Furthermore, a freephone National Contact Phoneline for CWS was launched in June this year which further enhances access to CWS nationwide. This is a dedicated phoneline for people to get information on CWS and access to a CWO to seek assistance and support. Since the phoneline commenced operation, more and more people located all across the country are availing of the opportunity to have their issues resolved by this method rather than by calling into an office.
It is important to note that a person no longer has to meet in person with a CWO to make a claim. A person can make an application for assistance by completing a SWA1 form, which is widely available. It can be downloaded at www.gov.ie and is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices. It can also now be requested by emailing cwsforms@welfare.ie or by calling freephone 0818 60 70 80.
I trust this clarifies the matter.