John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1248: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if and when the community welfare service will be absorbed into the Department of Social Protection; if this will mean that community welfare officers will then be able to transfer to different locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32149/10]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 1255: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he intends to consolidate the appeals process for social welfare appeals so that all supplementary welfare appeals can only be appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and to provide for the specific legal reference for the legislation underpinning this change. [32387/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1248 and 1255 together.

In February 2006 the Government decided that the Community Welfare Service (CWS) would transfer to this Department. The Social Welfare and Pensions Acts 2007 and 2008 provided for the transfer of the administration of the SWA scheme from the HSE to the Department. These provisions are subject to a Commencement Order.

A considerable amount of preparatory work has been completed on the transfer. Progress had been stalled due to industrial relations issues but, following the ratification of the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014, discussions resumed between management and the HSE Unions in the LRC in July 2010 and are ongoing. It is now hoped that the outstanding matters can be dealt with quickly in the Labour Relations Commission or the Labour Court, if necessary.

Some discussions have also taken place with the civil service unions representing existing staff in the Department. The intention is to complete the discussions with both sets of unions and to finalise the preparatory work as soon as possible. January 2011 remains the target date for the transfer.

With regard to the location of Community Welfare Officers, decisions about deployment will take account of the relevant provisions on staff deployment contained in the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014.

Following the transfer, customers appealing decisions on applications for payments under any part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme will have their appeals dealt with by the Social Welfare Appeals Office. This was provided for in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007. The provision is subject to a Commencement Order.