Liz O'Donnell
Ceist:28 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, his Department has to upgrade the security measures in social welfare offices throughout the country to ensure the safety of the employees. [22266/96]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Offices.
Up until 1995 social welfare local offices carried substantial amounts of cash to make unemployment payments. These payments are now made at post offices and as a result a significant potential hazard to social welfare staff has been removed and the same level of security as previously required is no longer necessary at the Department's offices.
However, I am conscious of the need to ensure the safety of staff at all offices of the Department and, consequently, security systems which provide for the personal protection of staff are installed or maintained, as required. Procedures are also in place to ensure that incidents of abuse, threat or assault at all offices are reported and acted upon and the situation is kept under constant review.
Social welfare payments are also made through a number of social welfare branch offices which are operated on a contract basis. These payments are still made in cash. The security of these offices is the responsibility of the branch managers.