Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have just listened to a weather expert on radio advising households as temperatures are expected to drop below freezing for what he called "a prolonged period." He suggested those unable to access the fuel allowance, which is the majority of workers and families, can access an additional needs payment. If only it was that simple. This is, of course, an important support in cases of emergency or an urgent situation. I am aware of applications that are still taking between ten and 12 weeks to be processed. Households cannot wait this length of time. Given the crisis that households are in and now as the temperatures are set to go below freezing, will the Government reinstate the community welfare officers, CWOs, who are best placed, back in the community? The quickest way for people to get financial support is through local community welfare officers back on the ground where they can have walk-in appointments, which are no longer available.

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