Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have done everything I can to make access to the community welfare officer as easy as possible. In terms of the Ukrainians who have come here, our social welfare staff have gone out and visited them.

In terms of the numbers, between January and the end of May 2022, more than 27,800 additional needs payments were made, totalling almost €17 million. In the same period last year, 23,000 payments were made. That is a nearly 20% increase in the number of payments year on year for the first five months.

I have ensured there has been a widespread media campaign to tell people how to access their community welfare officer. Between us all as well, we can make it known on our social media that this is available and is there to help people.

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