Ms Anne Vaughan:

I am well aware of the concerns raised by Deputy Calleary, which he has also raised with the Minister. I understand it was debated as a Topical Issue recently and there have been many parliamentary questions on the matter. I do not underestimate the concerns expressed by the Deputy. In my opening statement I referred to the fact that there must be a balance between what the Department does on the delivery, activation and control sides, all of which are of equal importance, but at times the balance shifts. Part of what we are talking about is a balance between delivery and activation and getting people back to work via enhanced training and engagement with them. As part of the Intreo service, there is a better service available which has certainly reduced in certain areas the work of the community welfare service.

On the question of geography, there is also the issue that some of the clinics that have been streamlined were literally open for an hour, if not less, per week, and people had to travel. We are looking at what is the most efficient use of the Department from a business point of view to provide a better service. Streamlining has been done in all divisions taking account of geography, public transport arrangements, etc., and what is available and done by the local divisional managers - for example, Mr. Carroll's equivalent in the Deputy's area, or wherever. They are people who know what they are talking about and, to be fair to them, know the geography and are trying to achieve a balance in what we are seeking to deliver. It is not only outside Dublin that we have difficulties; there are difficulties in Dublin also. Dublin Deputies are not necessarily happy with everything we are doing, but the principle and the criteria are providing a better service.

What happens in the case of a person who cannot attend the office? We may be able to do business with that person over the telephone or by e-mail. The community welfare service can respond in a difficult situation or crisis such as a flood event, and that will remain the case. This relates to the fundamental function of the community welfare service. I am aware there are discussions about it and people may have concerns in that area. If a person needs to be visited because he or she cannot attend an Intreo office or a local office, that will be arranged. The streamlining of services to provide a better service in order that the community welfare service can be open for longer hours, albeit in fewer locations, is happening throughout the country in consultation with former staff of the HSE and public representatives. We are engaging with public representatives about it and explaining it. I am aware that in Deputy Seán Kyne's area, the divisional manager, Mr. Carroll's equivalent, will attend a meeting arranged by the Deputy to bring people together to discuss the issue. The divisional manager will explain the plans. Is it all set in stone? It would be wrong to say that, because we have to review it.

When the community welfare service of the HSE came into the Department, there were 900 community welfare service clinics around the country. We have closed 260 of them. Some would have been open only for an hour here or an hour there. Now we have more business opening hours available to people. I am not saying it is perfect, and I am not saying we do not need to review it. The reason we are doing it is to provide a better service and to free up staff for activation and for the case officers. The Deputy looked at me earlier when I mentioned the number of case officers we have. We are trying to double the number, but that will not give us enough, as I said in my opening statement. We are looking at contracting out activation or employment services. We have to maintain a balance, we have to be agile and we have to look at the business. We have to see how the business can best meet people's needs, and that is what this is about.