Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 April 2015
66. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will consider retaining a social welfare office in Lucan village in County Dublin to cater for the large population in this area and for persons who do not have their own transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13826/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the plan for the roll-out of Intreo Centres, the Lucan/Adamstown and Clondalkin areas have been designated by the Department for the provision of Intreo services.
The Office of Public Works has been exploring options in both Lucan and Adamstown for an Intreo Centre, but given the limited choice of suitably sized and located offices, complex property and development issues, and third party interests, this process is taking longer than expected. The Department is anxious to see the Intreo service delivered in the area within a reasonable timeframe.
In the meantime a review was undertaken of the existing delivery of services in Lucan, in the context of the pathways to work programme and the development of the Intreo Service in Clondalkin resulting in a requirement for some re-balancing of resources across the Division’s range of activities, to assess how to continue to provide an effective and flexible service for clients. The works currently ongoing in Clondalkin, where Intreo services will be provided from both the existing Local Office and the former Motor Tax Office, are scheduled to be completed by the end of May 2015.
It is proposed to re-locate the CWS staff and the Inspectorate that currently operate out of Lucan Health Centre and Chapel Hill respectively to Clondalkin creating a hub which will allow for greater flexibility in planning for service delivery. Customers will travel to Clondalkin for community welfare services; however, the introduction of an email/postal/phone service will serve to address this issue and minimise/eliminate the need for customers to travel to Clondalkin. A call out/home visit service will also be available for customers who are unable to travel. Similar arrangements will be put in place in respect of the Inspectorate. Clients from Adamstown/Lucan currently sign in the Clondalkin office.
The impact of these changes will be monitored on an on-going basis to ensure that any negative impact on customer service is minimised.
These changes will be revisited when a suitable premises is located in Adamstown/Lucan area.
