The delivery of crucial and locally based community welfare services to meet the challenges and the needs of people across the country is a priority for me and for my department. The Community Welfare Service (CWS) continues to provide a flexible service to meet the different needs of people, who may find themselves in a financially difficult or vulnerable situation. It is important that this service is easily accessible and responsive to our client’s needs. I do not want any situation where those who need it are experiencing difficulties accessing the CWS. As such, I have asked my officials to host an information session on the Community Welfare Service for all Oireachtas members. This will take place on Wednesday, March 4th. I will ensure that the Deputy has the details of this.
CWOs are physically on site daily in over 51 Intreo Centres across the country where they are available to be seen without an appointment, during business hours, Monday to Friday. There are 50 additional locations with services available on a part-time or appointment basis to meet customers' needs. Customers can access Community Welfare Services in any location and are not restricted to accessing these services at their local office. In addition to meeting people in Intreo Centres and DSP offices, CWOs can facilitate an appointment within a short time of a person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home or indeed where facilities are in place, at their local Social Welfare Branch Office. These arrangements ensure people who need a service have comprehensive options for accessing the service in person.
While local face-to-face engagement with people continues to be a cornerstone of the community welfare service, it is important to mention that a person does not need to meet with a CWO to make an application and any person who needs to access the CWS can call the National CWS freephone number at 0818 60 70 80, to make an appointment or to speak directly to a CWO. A person can speak with a CWO over the phone if they do not wish to travel to meet with a CWO in person. There is a high uptake of this service which allows people to have their needs met without the requirement to travel.
A CWO is available to meet with customers, living in the Tubbercurry Co Sligo area during business hours every Tuesday and Thursday at the Tubbercurry Branch Office. In addition to this service, customers can also attend the Sligo Town Intreo Centre which operates Monday to Friday.
Customers in Ballymote, Co Sligo can be seen in either Sligo Town Intreo Centre, Tubbercurry Branch Office, or Boyle CWS Office. Public transport links are available from Ballymote to all locations. In addition to this and as outlined above, any person who requires a home visit can be facilitated.
Where it is clear that a person has an urgent or immediate need, every effort is made to ensure that the claim is processed on the same day. CWOs are very experienced and can generally assess when a case is so urgent that it requires an immediate response.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
