Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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557. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which community welfare services remain readily accessible in all areas throughout County Kildare with particular reference to meeting out-of-hours and emergency needs in circumstances in which it is necessary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53839/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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County Kildare is administered by 3 separate departmental divisions, for the purposes of the provision of community welfare services to its customers. Each division has its own arrangements in place for the provision of such services depending upon specific local/area needs, resources and customer requirements. Through the development of an integrated decisions model for jobseeker and one parent family claims, there is significantly reduced dependence for basic income on supplementary welfare allowance by those awaiting decisions for these schemes.

Community Welfare Services in the South Kildare are based in three main centres: Naas, Newbridge and Athy. The service is accessible by telephone call, followed up by appointments and home visits as required. Telephone lines are open at all timesand all customers have their call returned within one working day. This eliminates the need to travel to offices/health centres and wait in lengthy queues. Emergencies are prioritised and dealt with in a timely manner.

Contact details for the service are as follows:

Community Welfare Services in North Kildare are based in two main centres: Celbridge and Maynooth. The service is accessible by telephone call and email, followed up by appointments and home visits as required. Telephone lines and email are open at all timesand all customers will have their call or email returned within one working day. This eliminates the need to travel to offices/health centres and wait in lengthy queues. Emergencies are prioritised and dealt with in a timely manner.

In reference to out of hours and emergency needs, the North Kildare Community Welfare Services provide 2 mobile telephone numbers to the local Garda Stations in the event of out of hour’s emergencies.

Community Welfare Services for North West Kildare (Derrinturn, Carbury, Johnstownbridge, Clogherinkoe, Broadford, Moyvalley & surrounds) are catered for by the Community Welfare Officers based in the Intreo Centre, Carrick Road, Edenderry.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.