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

I am happy to assure the Deputy that every resident in the State, regardless of geography, has access to a community welfare officer in their locality. CWOs are available to facilitate urgent and in-person meetings in more than 50 Intreo centres nationwide, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. In addition to meeting citizens in Intreo centres, branch offices, outreach clinics and Department of Social Protection offices, community welfare officers can make an appointment to meet a person who requests a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home within a short time, usually same day if it is urgent.

In addition, it is now possible for a client to make a claim, or to make an inquiry about a claim without attending in person if it is more convenient for them. The person can speak directly with a CWO when they call the community welfare service freephone line. This does not reduce the service to people, as their case can be escalated quickly if urgent local action is required such as a need for an immediate cheque payment. Where it is clear a person has an immediate need, every effort is made to ensure they receive a payment that day.

Furthermore, a person can make an application for supplementary welfare allowance by completing the SWA1 form, which is widely available. It can be downloaded at www.gov.ie. It is available in all Intreo centres and branch offices. It can also now be requested by email, phone and using the request application form page available on www.gov.ie. The completed application form should be returned to the Department, where it will be processed quickly.

I want to be very clear that the community welfare service continues to provide local access to local CWOs in local areas right across the country and I have no plans to change this aspect of the service.

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