Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will confirm that arrangements are being put in place to retain the social welfare branch office in Dunmanway; and the arrangements being put in hand in this regard. [20558/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department delivers a front-line service to its customers through a network of 59 Local Offices and 66 Branch Offices countrywide. The services provided from these offices include jobseekers payments, One-parent Family Payment and a customer information service. The 59 Local Offices are staffed by departmental staff. The 66 Branch Offices are run by branch managers who are employed under a contract for service by the Department to administer certain Social Welfare services to members of the public in their catchment area.

Due to the sad and untimely death of the Branch Manager in Dunmanway an arrangement had to be put in place immediately to ensure continuity of service to customers. The number of customers involved include approximately 230 in receipt of a jobseekers payment and a further 120 on farm assist, back to work and pre-retirement allowance. These customers are being facilitated by neighbouring local offices and branch offices closest to where they live.

In keeping with normal procedures when a branch office post becomes vacant, a review of the delivery of social welfare services in the area served by the branch office is undertaken to determine the most effective way of providing these services in the future. The review in respect of Dunmanway is expected to be completed in a month or so.