Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2026
180. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason no social welfare inspector or community welfare officer is available in the Castlerea office, County Roscommon; if and when these positions will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4784/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra181. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection if a community welfare officer could be assigned to attend the Castlerea office, County Roscommon, one day per week to meet with local people in need of this service for appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4785/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.
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.
Community Welfare Officers (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. 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. These arrangements ensure people who need a service have comprehensive options for accessing the service in person.
There is a Community Welfare Officer (CWO) based in the Intreo Centre in the nearby town of Roscommon who is available to meet with clients living in the Castlerea area of Co Roscommon. Alternatively, there is a CWO based in Boyle who is also available to meet with clients from Castlerea if that is more suitable. Where a person requires an appointment or a visit, this can also be facilitated at their home or another suitable location if they prefer.
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. 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. Furthermore, the introduction of the online claim facility via www.mywelfare.ie also means that customers can now submit a claim for an Additional Needs Payment online which will receive a decision by a CWO.
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. They have the facility to issue a same-day cheque payment to people who present to CWOs in person each week receive a manual cheque payment on the day that they attend.
In addition to the above, there is currently a vacancy for a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) in Castlerea and a recruitment process for this position is in train. Any cases relating to the Castlerea area which require the involvement of a SWI are currently being undertaken by other SWI's in Roscommon on an interim basis until the vacancy is filled.
Additionally, I have asked my officials to host an information session on the Community Welfare Service for all Oireachtas members. Details of this will be communicated shortly, and I will ensure that the Deputy is made aware of it.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
