Written answers

Wednesday, 6 May 2009

Department of Social and Family Affairs

Departmental Staff

8:00 pm

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 419: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position in regard to the transfer of community welfare office staff from the Health Service Executive to her Department; and the way she can guarantee that the flexibility, ethos and culture of the community welfare service can be maintained if the service is operated directly by her Department. [18062/09]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is currently administered by the Community Welfare Service division of the Health Service Executive on behalf of my Department. However, as part of its reform of the Health Sector, the Government has decided to transfer this function and associated staff from the HSE to the Department of Social and Family Affairs. A considerable amount of preparatory work has been completed. The necessary legislation has been passed, subject to a Commencement Order, the number and location of posts to transfer has been agreed, agreement has been reached with the HSE in relation to accommodation, finance and other support arrangements and detailed discussions have taken place with the relevant trade unions.

As it was not possible to reach agreement with the unions representing Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) in relation to pay, superannuation and other matters, it has been decided that the issues on which agreement could not be reached should be referred to the national industrial relations institutions to find a resolution. Renewed efforts will now be made through the national industrial relations institutions to find a resolution to these issues.

The powers which allow CWOs exercise flexibility and discretion while administering the scheme are provided for under Social Welfare legislation. This discretion is recognised as a major strength of the scheme. The 2007 and 2008 Social Welfare and Pensions Acts which provided the legislative basis for the transfer of functions did not in any way alter the existing discretionary element of the scheme. When the CWOs transfer to the Department, the existing flexibility in the manner in which the scheme is administered will be retained.

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