Vol. 573 No. 1
76 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the changes which are going to take place in the community welfare service; and her plans to take the community welfare officers out of the Department of Health and Children and into her Department. [24323/03]
125 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding proposals to place community welfare officers under her remit from the authority of the Department of Health and Children. [24291/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 125 together.
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is subject to my general direction and control, is delivered locally on behalf of my Department by community welfare officers as part of the community welfare service operated by the health boards. The community welfare service also has other functions within the health boards' community care programmes.
The overall administrative costs of the community welfare service are met by my Department and the Department of Health and Children in proportion to the amount of time spent admin istering schemes on behalf of the Departments in question. In the Eastern Regional Health Authority area, virtually all of the community welfare officers' time is spent administering the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. A smaller proportion, typically 75%, of their time is charged to the supplementary welfare allowance scheme in the other health board areas.
I met with the chief executive officers of the health boards in June 2003 to discuss several issues, including the future of the community welfare service in the context of the health service reform programme. It was agreed that, in the first instance, the issues should be examined by a liaison group at senior management level representing the boards and my Department. In addition, an interdepartmental working group is reviewing the supplementary welfare allowance scheme as part of my Department's series of expenditure reviews. The current review is a fundamental appraisal of the scheme aimed primarily at improving customer service and administrative efficiency.
As part of this review a wide consultation process was undertaken which attracted 145 submissions, covering 700 issues and ranging over 18 themes. They came from users of the supplementary welfare allowance service, information providers and other interested parties including the social partners, the health boards and the trade unions representing community welfare officers.
The desirability or otherwise of transferring the community welfare service in part or wholly to my Department will be assessed in light of the above evaluations. In deciding that issue, my primary objective will be to enhance the service to those who avail of the supports provided in a manner that maximises the effectiveness of the supports and the efficiency with which they are delivered.
I draw the Minister's attention to the fact that there is a great deal of concern among community welfare officers about the proposed change-over. There is a fear that her Department operates at a different philosophical level from that under which they currently operate. Her Department operates on a criteria-based system whereby, if people fit the label allocated to them and meet the criteria, they are given a payment, whereas community welfare officers operate on a needs based assessment. If the need is immediate, it can be met through a flexible, discretionary system which currently operates. Is it not a justifiable fear that, by taking community welfare officers into the Minister's Department, that will not only impose a new system of supervision but will also involve buying into a philosophy which is not theirs and which they feel would compromise the way they have always represented the interests of the disadvantaged in our society?
I do not agree there is a philosophical difference. However, if we are down to philosophies, we will be doing very well. The CWOs administer a scheme under my Department's legislation and regulations and that reflects the philosophy of the Department, not necessarily that of the health boards.
Perhaps I can take this opportunity to quash any fears the CWOs may have with regard to their status. As Deputies are aware, under the changes proposed in the health services, health boards will no longer exist. It was in that context I thought it prudent to consider the future role of CWOs and to evaluate how to achieve best practice. Having regard to the many agencies acting on behalf of different Departments, perhaps they are best streamlined within their own Department. I have set up a study group in this regard and I assure Deputies that when I have been given some direction on the views being expressed, I will meet the representatives of the CWOs to discuss this matter and evaluate the idea.
The SWA budget is of astronomical proportions in my Department – over €500 million – and its administration has grown and developed without, perhaps, taking account of the new structures which will be established within the health services. However, it is not my intention in any way to change the flexibility which has always applied under the SWA scheme.
The Minister has answered the question I was about to ask. However, may I ask her to speed up the process? She said she will meet the CWOs when the report is completed. Would it not be wise to meet them now and obtain their views? They are concerned by media reports of reviews and, indeed, I have my own views on reviews and consultants' reports, which appear to be a growth area. As Minister with responsibility for social welfare and a practising politician, I am sure the Minister will agree that in the event of an emergency on a Friday evening, the CWOs make an instant decision.
I share the views of Deputy Boyle as to the different approaches of the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Social and Family Affairs in relation to people's needs. The community welfare officers look at the situation as they find it, rather than the means of the people involved. I compliment them on their quick decisions in situations which I and other Members have experienced many times, including those involving refugees. When a person arrives on one's doorstep seeking accommodation, there is not much point in telephoning the Department of Social and Family Affairs, which is already falling behind on its various schemes and will not make instant decisions.
The CWO system has worked and I would like to see it continue as it is, without any change. It is one the few schemes which work. I suggest the Minister should meet the CWO group immediately, hear their views and take them on board. That should take place now, rather than later.
It is not my intention to meet the CWOs at this stage. I have asked the chief executives of the health boards to form a liaison committee with my Department to consider all nuances of the scheme. When I have more base-line information I will take into consideration the position of the CWOs and others who may have a view on this issue. I reiterate my support for CWOs. As a practising politician, I agree that their flexibility reflects the basic nature of the job, as originally established and subsequently developed. As I said, the regulations and flexibilities are set by my Department, on behalf of which the scheme is administered by the CWOs. There has been excellent liaison between the Department and the CWOs.
As I indicated in my initial answer, 75% of the work relates mainly to rent supplement, apart from the Eastern Health Board. We have had discussions about the futility of having rent supplement outside of the Department responsible for housing and environmental matters.
Rightly so.
On that basis, taking account of the current review of the adequacy of the scheme, it is prudent to take all of the issues into consideration. I will certainly take the views of the CWOs into consideration. However, all this is being done in the context of the changes which will take place in the Department of Health and Children and the implementation of the new health strategy.
I agree with the comments of previous speakers with regard to the concerns of the CWO community, if I may so describe them. The Minister has said she will meet them. The main concern expressed to me by CWOs was that they were being ignored in this regard. Notwithstanding the Minister's statement that, in the initial development of this matter, the social partners, including the unions representing CWOs, have been consulted, they have given a different impression, maintaining that they were not consulted. CWOs appear to anticipate possible change in their position and I am pleased to note the Minister's assurance to the contrary. However, that concern still remains, as Deputy Ring has confirmed from his meeting with those involved. I believe it is essential that a statement be issued to alleviate those concerns. I hope the Minister will meet them before any substantive change is made.
It is generally agreed that these people have one of the most difficult jobs in any Department or any area of the public service. It will be very satisfactory from their point of view if the Minister can alleviate their concern by stating that no changes will take place until after meetings with them and their unions at the end of the review.
By way of clarification, there are two things in progress. First, I have an SWA expenditure review in hands and that will be completed at the end of December. Second, arising from my meeting with the CWOs and a number of proposals from the chief executive officers of the health boards, they have nominated a number of superintendents to represent the boards in evaluating the scheme with my Department officials. There has been no decision to change anything – absolutely none. If there is to be any change, I will speak to all players in this regard, including the CWOs, their unions, the public representatives and perhaps many others.
It is important to make it clear there has been no decision to transfer CWOs to my Department. However, it is an opportune time to evaluate the whole scheme because that has not been done for a considerable period. As I have already said, the role has changed to the extent that 75% of the work of CWOs now relates to rent supplement, as distinct from their initial function of providing emergency payments and supports.
