Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 September 2022
392. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of community welfare officers in each Intreo office in County Kerry as of 31 December 2021 and as of 31 August 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44882/22]
View answer393. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that she will take to address the processing delays of supplementary welfare and additional needs payment claims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44883/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 393 together.
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.
It’s important to note that the Community Welfare Service remains a flexible service which meets the varied needs of vulnerable people and continues to provide local access to a CWO. CWOs can facilitate emergency and in-person meetings in 51 Intreo Centres across business hours, five days per week. Some CWOs are based in Social Welfare Branch Offices and provide appointments at those offices. In addition to meeting citizens in Intreo Centres, Branch Offices and DSP offices, CWOs can facilitate an appointment within a short time of a person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home.
My Department launched a freephone National Contact Phoneline for CWS in June this year which further enhances access to CWS nationwide. This is a dedicated phoneline available to people across the country to get information on CWS and access to a CWO to seek assistance and support. Customers can contact the phoneline at 0818 60 70 80.
There are 16 Community Welfare Officers in County Kerry as follows:
|
Kenmare |
1 |
|
Killarney |
3 |
|
Listowel |
2 |
|
Tralee |
10 |
|
Total |
16 |
The Department has introduced innovations this year which have increased efficiency in processing applications for SWA payments. One of these is the establishment of a back-office team to undertake the preparatory work on applications - for example, the registration of claims and the gathering of supporting documentation that is necessary to assess and finalise a claim. This method of processing applications supports a number of CWS areas across the country, including Kerry, and it has been found to be very effective in releasing CWOs from the requirement to undertake administrative tasks and to focus on delivery of services. It allows for increased capacity for CWOs to meet with people as required and to process claims. This model will be extended to cover all CWS areas across the country in the coming weeks.
Claims activity in the Community Welfare Service is closely monitored at all times and changes to modernise and improve the service for clients are a feature of the service. The delivery of a locally based CWS remains and will continue to remain a cornerstone of the service.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
