John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton.

The Minister is conscious of the need to provide efficient and effective customer-facing services at local level for clients of the Department. As part of the relocation of community welfare services to Waterford, the frequency of clinics is being increased from three to four days per week and the number of staff available to these clinics will be increased, giving clients improved access to services there.

Staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed to ensure the best use is made of all available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department. This includes meeting commitments under the Pathways to Work programme to provide opportunities, support and assistance to approximately 415,000 people on the live register by intensifying the Department's level of engagement with people who are unemployed and, in particular, those who are, or become, long-term unemployed.

It was in this context that a decision was made to relocate community welfare services from Tramore to Waterford following the retirement of a staff member. The relocation will take effect from 17 June 2013. In the interim, services in Tramore will continue to operate as heretofore. A key factor influencing the decision is the objective of ensuring continuity of service in the event of any future staff absences which would otherwise negatively impact on the quality of service. An important factor taken into account in the reconfiguration of services was the good public transport service from Tramore to Waterford, with a frequent bus service passing the existing community welfare service offices in Waterford and the main offices of the Department. There is also the facility for clients who are unable to travel to Waterford, for example, due to illness, to telephone the community welfare service in Waterford and discuss their case and, if required, the officer may arrange a visit to the client's home.

The relocation of a service coincides with a greater integration between the community welfare service and other locally based staff of the Department. This process will be further enhanced by the roll-out of a full Intreo service to Waterford later this year. I am aware from the launch in Sligo, which I attended with the Taoiseach, that the Intreo service is a fantastic facility. One should visit one of the offices. It interfaces with the unemployed and meets employers. It is a one-stop shop for people who are seeking work.

It should be noted that claims for supplementary welfare allowances are currently processed within a number of days where all the required documentation is in place.