Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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107. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if community welfare services are now centralised; if local decision-making on community welfare matters no longer exists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57924/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Community Welfare Service in my department delivers the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which is the safety net within the overall social welfare system. This scheme provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. The discretionary element of Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) is a major strength of the scheme as it has the capacity to provide an immediate flexible response to identified needs.

In line with public health advice over the last 20 months, the Department has sought to reduce face-to-face contact with customers where feasible and a full time Community Welfare Service is provided for through phone, email and postal arrangements. Intreo Centres are also open five days per week and any person who needs to access the Community Welfare Service can attend any morning or make an appointment for an afternoon meeting. Home visits can also be arranged by a Community Welfare Officer subject to need.

I trust this clarifies the position.