Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Department of Social Protection

Social Welfare Offices

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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332. To ask the Minister for Social Protection how he is alleviating the difficulties facing persons in west County Wicklow accessing his Department's services, officials and payments since the closure of the social protection office in Blessington in County Wicklow. [11820/16]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Department has not operated local office or inspectorate services from the Wicklow county council offices in Blessington since April 2014. Those customers who require inspectorate services are now interviewed at the Intreo Centre Tallaght or if required, a member of the inspectorate’s staff will arrange to visit a customer in their home.

New jobseeker and one parent family applications were always obliged to make such applications at the Intreo Centre Tallaght and can continue to do so.

The Community Welfare Service (CWS) similarly ceased to operate from that office in June 2014, when at that time a clinic was held one morning per week. Since that date customers can now access the CWS by appointment five days per week at the Intreo Centre Tallaght. A customer can make an appointment in person, by telephoning 01-4629400, by email to CWSTallaght@welfare.ie,or by post. If required, a member of the CWS staff will arrange to visit a customer in their home.

The impact of these changes have been monitored on an on-going basis with no issues raised to date.

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