Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position in regard to proposals that community welfare officers should be transferred from the Health Service Executive to his Department; the position regarding his Department's discussions on this subject with the trade unions representing the CWOs; if a timetable has been set for the implementation of the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15189/07]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position in relation to the transfer of community welfare services to his Department. [15244/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 63 together.

In February 2006, as part of the health service reform programme, the Government decided to transfer certain functions and associated staff and other resources from the Health Service Executive to my Department. The functions to be transferred include the administration of the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme. The transfer of functions is a major project that has implications for important services and also affects, on a personal level, the staff delivering these services and the programme to implement the transfer is being managed in a careful and comprehensive manner. As part of that process the HSE and my Department are engaged in a comprehensive programme to collect information on all elements of the functions currently undertaken by the Community Welfare Service. This information is essential for the successful planning and implementation of the transfer process and to ensure that all aspects of the current service are fully taken into account.

Throughout the implementation programme there is and will be direct and extensive consultation with the staff affected by the transfer of functions programme. A communications and consultation strategy has been devised that provides for ongoing dialogue with all stakeholders associated with the programme including all unions involved.

In this regard the health sector National Joint Council (NJC) brings together the relevant trade unions, the HSE and the Department of Health and Children. The NJC meets regularly and it has discussed the transfer of functions. The transfer proposals have also been discussed at meetings with the unions representing staff in my Department. More specifically, a Joint Liaison Group involving the two trade unions who represent community welfare service staff, health sector management and my Department has been established. This group has met on two occasions. A document outlining items for discussion associated with the transfer from HSE was sent to all of the trade unions concerned, including trade unions representing community welfare service staff. Further meetings of the Group have been scheduled.

The industrial relations framework provided for in Towards 2016 is the mechanism where ultimately any industrial relations considerations associated with the transfer will progress. I am satisfied that the considerable level of consultation and engagement by my Department as well as the HSE and Department of Health and Children with the unions concerned will allow for all the issues of concern to be progressed.

The SWA scheme is currently administered by some 700 CWOs and 59 superintendents and supporting clerical and other staff within the Community Welfare Service of the HSE. They provide a service that is flexible, responsive and outcome driven. The transfer of functions will not change this. There will be no loss of flexibility, discretion or personal service on the part of CWOs. The same staff will be administering the schemes and providing the same personal service under the same legislation and guidelines as at present. The existing legislation governing the scheme will largely remain. All of the linkages to other services in the health sector and elsewhere will remain and indeed will be strengthened under the new arrangements. The CWOs will remain community based and will continue to provide key information, advice, advocacy and referral links between agencies following the transfer.

While acknowledging the concerns that those delivering the service may have regarding the transfer programme generally, I am satisfied that this is the correct way forward. The SWA scheme is already funded by my Department and is part of the wider social welfare code. In recent years new types of payments, computer development and modernisation of services enable customers to confidently carry out their business with my Department. The transfer of functions will provide a platform from which to build on this and offers both a challenge and an opportunity for all staff within both the Community Welfare Service and my own Department in developing a model system for supporting those most disadvantaged in society.