Written answers

Wednesday, 13 July 2016

Department of Social Protection

Social Welfare Offices

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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148. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the remit and area of activity assigned to personnel who are employed privately and work in local social protection offices; the level of training provided to them; if they are qualified and authorised to provide advice on social protection entitlements, payments, and the eligibility of individual claimants, in offices in which operations are provided by contracted private companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21564/16]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Following clarification from your office, the “services” to which this Parliamentary Question relates to are “services provided by local Social Welfare branch offices”.

Branch Managers are contracted to act as the agent of the Department of Social Protection in the geographic area served by the Branch Office and as determined by my Department.

The main remit and the general areas of activity of Branch Offices include;

-To receive claims in respect of all schemes operated by the Department of Social Protection.

-To register Branch Office customers claims and capture all relevant information in a timely manner.

-To accept and process evidence of unemployment, means and other scheme conditionality in the prescribed manner.

-To make decisions on selected categories of claims.

-To maintain claims by updating changes to customer details etc. and to accept, forward and/or assign, without delay, to the relevant Intreo Centre or scheme headquarters any changes which affect payment.

-To provide comprehensive information in relation to all Department of Social Protection Schemes, including information on employment and support services, job vacancies, training/educational and development opportunities operated through Solas and the Education Training Boards or any other provider.

-To schedule customers for information sessions, interviews, training/educational courses and opportunities.

-To operate the Department’s internal and external Fraud and Control Policies in accordance with instructions and advice.

-To liaise and co-operate with all business areas of the Department of Social Protection and other Government Agencies and to assist in the delivery of the services of these areas and agencies by providing customer referrals.

-To account for all moneys received and paid on behalf of the Department of Social Protection in such manner as may from time to time be laid down.

-To record, pursue and recover overpayments to customers.

-In selected Branch Offices, to provide SAFE registration services and Public Service Cards to an extended cohort of customers and catchment areas as required. The process may include issuing Personalised Public Service Numbers.

As stated, the provision of a comprehensive information service in relation to all of the Department of Social Protection Schemes is a key service delivery role for Branch Offices.

The provision of information services in Branch Offices is supported by the Information Services Unit in the Department and Branch Office staff are invited to attend the annual Information Seminar for information providers. Branch Offices are provided with regular information, including updates, posters, application forms etc. and they are well positioned to provide a quality information service to their customers.

Training for Branch Office staff is supported by the linked network of Intreo Centres. Branch Office staff receive appropriate levels of training relevant to the duties carried out by them and they are afforded access to the Department’s training information, materials and trainers.

If the Deputy has a particular issue with the provision of information or of the general standard of service delivery in any Branch Office then perhaps he could let me have details and I will undertake to have the matter investigated.

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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149. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the procedures and checks he carries out as part of the procurement process to assess the suitability of individual companies which tender to provide services in social protection offices; if he actively considers these companies' ability to comply with employment law prior to awarding the tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21565/16]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Following clarification from your office, the “services” to which this Parliamentary Question relates to are “services provided by local Social Welfare branch offices”.

The Department’s network of Intreo centres is complemented by 60 Branch Offices at various locations across the country. Each Branch Office is operated and managed by a Branch Manager under a contract for services to provide an agreed service for the Department.

When a vacancy for a Branch Manager position arises, the vacancy is filled through an open competitive selection process. The vacancy is advertised in the local and national newspapers and on JobsIreland.ie to attract interested and suitable candidates. The selection process involves an interview and takes into account the premises being proposed by each candidate for the operation of the contracted service.

Following the interview/premises approval process, and subject to final approval by me as Minister, the successful candidate is offered an appointment as Branch Manager on a contract for services basis. Currently, contracts are only awarded to individuals as a personal service is required to be rendered as part of the contract arrangements. Consequently, companies are precluded from holding the position of a Branch Manager.

Each individual Branch Manager is responsible for the employment of staff in their office to carry out the services as outlined in his/her contract with the Department. It is the responsibility of the Branch Manager, as an employer, to comply with employment legislation and discharge their relevant legal obligations.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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