Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 4 together.

The decision taken by the Government to transfer certain functions from the Health Service Executive to my Department came on foot of recommendations made by the Commission on Financial Management and Control Systems in the Health Service. I am fully in favour of and support that decision. The decision will involve the transfer of responsibility for the delivery of the supplementary welfare allowance, SWA, scheme and of certain costs of disability and caring payments, as well as responsibility for the General Register Office, which currently comes under the aegis of the Department of Health and Children.

An examination is also being conducted into the mechanics of transferring responsibility for the treatment benefit scheme, which is operated by my Department currently, to the HSE.

Following the Government decision, a number of implementation working groups were established. One such group oversees the implementation of the SWA element of the transfer of functions programme. The group's work to date has centred mainly on providing the necessary foundation for the successful transfer of the scheme. This includes identifying all of the functions currently carried out within the community welfare service for the purpose of identifying appropriate arrangements for the continued administration and management of these functions in the context of the transfer.

Separately from the process which led to the decision to transfer responsibility for the scheme, my Department had undertaken a review under the expenditure review programme of all aspects of the SWA scheme, the report of which was recently published. The report acknowledges that the SWA scheme has moved beyond its original role as a safety net and plays a more extensive role than was originally intended. The report makes a number of recommendations for change in the context of ensuring a more streamlined delivery of income support through the social welfare system generally, including active case management to deliver immediate and flexible solutions to individuals' needs. The report was presented to superintendent community welfare officers at a briefing seminar on 29 November 2006. Arrangements are also being made to have a copy of the report circulated to all community welfare officers early in the new year.

The transfer of functions will present fundamental reform and developmental opportunities for an integrated and enhanced income support system, including a restructuring and integration of support services within my Department, while facilitating the HSE in concentrating on its core health and personal social services functions. The SWA review is timely in that it addresses all the major issues facing the scheme that can be addressed effectively in the context of the transfer process.

The existing mechanisms of delivery by the community welfare service allow the service to be responsive, flexible and outcome focused. These are attributes for which there will be a continuing need into the future and there will be no diminution in the existing role and responsibility afforded to community welfare officers. The transfer of functions is an opportunity for an enhancement of the support role that community welfare officers currently provide to those disadvantaged in society.

The implementation of a change programme of this magnitude involves organisational, human resource and service delivery issues. Throughout the change programme both the HSE and my Department will give a very high priority to involving the community welfare service in the planning and implementation of the changes and providing clear and precise information on all elements of the change process. Staff in my Department who will be impacted by the change will also be involved and kept informed throughout the process.

A comprehensive information process is being put in place through newsletters to staff, briefing sessions and discussions with representative groups. A series of information seminars will be held by the HSE and my Department on a regional basis for all staff of the service early in 2007. These fora will provide further opportunities for those working within the service to comment on the implementation programme and the recommendations contained in the SWA review. At the same time, staff and unions within my own Department will also be kept informed and consulted as the implementation programme progresses.

The HSE unions have indicated a wish to meet with officials from my Department to discuss the transfer of functions and my Department would welcome an early opportunity for such a meeting. While no date has been set for the completion of the transfer process, I propose to bring forward necessary enabling legislation to give effect as early as possible next year and I would intend that the transfer would take place as soon as possible thereafter.

During the period of transition, my Department will continue to give a high priority to supporting the delivery of the very high standard of service currently provided by staff in the community welfare service.

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