Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022
567. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the process that is in place for community welfare officers as regards receiving an application under supplementary welfare allowance; who makes a decision on a claim; where that claim is submitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23365/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe delivery of crucial community welfare services to meet the challenges and the needs of citizens across the country remains a priority for me and my Department. It is important that the CWS remains an accessible, flexible and responsive service to meet the varied needs of vulnerable people, particularly in a time of crisis or emergency.
The continued availability of locally based Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) is a key feature of the service. Furthermore, citizens no longer have to meet in person with a CWO to make a claim and access to CWS is not limited to a face-to-face meeting with a CWO. Intreo Centres and Social Welfare Branch Offices across the country are open five days per week and any person who needs to contact or access the CWS can call our phone line or attend at an office, either to speak directly to a CWO or to make an appointment for a consultation on the same day with a CWO. A direct home visit appointment can be arranged depending on the person's needs. The Supplementary Welfare Allowance application form (SWA1) can be downloaded from www.gov.ie for those who are in a position to access online services and completed applications, once returned to my Department, are processed promptly.
To help citizens and to support our CWOs where possible, the preparatory work on applications, for example the gathering of supporting documentation that is necessary to assess and finalise a claim, is carried out by a back-office team. The assessment and decision on claims and any further interactions or engagements with other agencies is then carried out by locally based CWOs.
It is vital that the CWS is easily accessible and responsive to the needs of citizens and developing and enhancing access to the service remains a priority for me.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
