Vol. 541 No. 2
457 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children if a code of conduct con cerning the relations between community welfare officers dealing with claims for supplementary welfare and members of the public is in place; his views on whether an adequate complaints procedure is in place for members of the public who believe that their community welfare officer was rude to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21325/01]
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered by community welfare officers employed by health boards on behalf of the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.
As employees of health boards community welfare officers are subject to the normal codes of practice which apply to all health board employees in their dealings with members of the public. Should a member of the public have any complaint as to the manner in which they were dealt with by a health board employee, including community welfare officers, they may refer the matter to the chief executive officer of the board concerned, who will have the matter fully investigated.
I have asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate this case and reply direct to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
