Written answers
Wednesday, 18 April 2018
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Social Welfare Offices
Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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233. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if arrangements have been made to find alternative accommodation in Dunleer, County Louth for the community welfare clinic in view of the recent closure of the social welfare office in Dunleer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16929/18]
Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As you are aware, my Department operated an outreach Community Welfare Service (CWS) clinic from HSE premises in Dunleer each Wednesday from 10am to 12 noon. On 21stMarch 2018, the HSE informed the Department that the condition of the building had rapidly deteriorated and now posed a serious Health & Safety risk to customers and staff. Local management had no option but to immediately suspend the outreach service. My Department took immediate steps to minimise any inconvenience to customers. Other social protection services, such as jobseeker payments are dealt with by Drogheda Intreo Centre, and Ardee Branch Office. Notices were posted directing CWS customers to the Drogheda Intreo Centre which is 15km away and on a main bus route. The CWS service there is available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week, and from Ardee Health Centre on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Customers have been provided with a phone service staffed by experienced CWS personnel in Drogheda and Ardee. If a customer is unable to visit the centres, for example due to illness, arrangements can be made to conduct a home visit.
The Department is closely monitoring the impact of the closure. While it is early days, the new arrangements appear to be working quite well. No customer complaints have been received and feedback on the telephone service has been very positive. The majority of queries have been fully resolved over the phone and customers have been happy to have avoided otherwise unnecessary visits to the old clinic in Dunleer. For example:
- On 28thMarch, of the 6 calls received, 4 were for information, with only 2 customers requiring a meeting with the Designated Person (DP).
- On 4thApril, of the 6 calls received, 5 were for information, 1 required a meeting with the DP.
- Week ended 13thApril 7 calls received, 6 for information and 1 required a meeting with DP.
The HSE does not intend to renovate the premises in Dunleer but my Department is currently examining the feasibility of providing the CWS service from other premises in Dunleer as well as exploring other options to enhance the provision of CWS services across the County.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
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