Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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558. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that persons, including many older people, have been forced to queue outside in the cold at a social welfare office (details supplied); the steps she is taking to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9980/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My officials in Coolock Intreo Centre have not been made aware by customers of any issues with queues outside the building nor have any complaints been received by my Department.

The Coolock Intreo Centre is located in the Northside Civic Centre, in which a variety of other public service providers including the HSE, MABS and the Citizens Information Centre are based.

There is a building manager in place in the Northside Civic Centre to manage health and safety and other building-related matters on behalf of the tenants. The manager ensures that the number of customers accessing the Northside Civic Centre at any given time enables them to conduct their business in a safe environment. The number of customers seeking access to the Intreo Centre is constantly monitored by management and staff throughout the day. Where necessary, additional resources are provided to avoid increased waiting times for customers.

The nearby Kilbarrack Intreo Centre has been closed since June 2020 due to the necessity to undertake extensive refurbishment building works. The Kilbarrack office is due to re-open in the coming weeks, and this will further assist in reducing the number of the Department’s customers visiting the Northside Civic Centre.

I trust this clarifies the matter.