Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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279. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a community welfare officer has the right to enter someone's home without being invited in or when that person is not there. [32092/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is administered by designated persons formerly known as Community Welfare Officers.

As part of the process to determine a person’s entitlement to SWA, a designated person may carry out a home visit to the person’s place of residence, for example, to verify a tenancy for rent supplement purposes or to interview someone who is unable to visit his or her local social welfare office in person.

Designated persons making home visits adhere to Departmental guidelines on the making of such visits, including seeking permission to enter the house. If the Deputy has concerns regarding a specific home visit conducted by an official of the Department, I would ask that details would be forwarded for further consideration.