Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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123. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will restore the community welfare service to the public health centre at Athy, County Kildare thereby ensuring that residents in this RAPID town continue to have direct access to community welfare officers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3323/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Department is examining the operation of all its services, including the Community Welfare Service, in the context of the Pathways to Work commitments and the development of Intreo services nationally. A significant reform programme to ensure appropriate resources are focused in the provision of opportunities, supports and assistance for unemployed persons is well advanced. The rebalancing of resources across the Department’s range of activities – payment processing, control and activation - has resulted in changes in the way CWS services are delivered and the rationalisation of some Community Welfare Service clinics.

In Co. Kildare, in preparation for these changes, the Department contacted all affected customers directly, advising them of the changes in the services. The Community Welfare Service in Athy which was formerly available two mornings per week at a walk-in clinic is now available Monday to Friday through initial telephone contact, which means the service can be delivered without the need to attend a clinic. Telephone calls are followed by appointments if necessary, home visit or application by post for non-urgent claims.

All calls are returned within one working day and emergency calls are prioritised. Where any customers are not able by reason of illness or disability to attend an appointment arrangements will be made to see them in their home. A fast referral service has now also been put in place with a standard Referral Form issued to local organisations and representatives.

Prior to the restructuring, several changes to the operation of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme (SWA) in South Kildare/West Wicklow had already been made. All claims for Rent Supplement were centralised to a dedicated unit. All claims for Mortgage Interest Supplement were centralised to one office within the area. A system of Integrated Decisions was put in place in Newbridge Local Office in order to expedite claims for Jobseekers Allowance, Jobseekers Benefit and One Parent Family payment and thus minimise the recourse to SWA in these cases.

The result of these initiatives has been to greatly reduce the dependence on SWA, and the local Community Welfare Service, in local areas. The main business now transacted locally is applications for Exceptional Needs Payments.

All changes will be monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure adequate services continue to be available.

Contact details for the Athy service are as follows: