Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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658. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the Oireachtas phonelines will be open again as none of the Oireachtas Members enquiry lines this Deputy has for her Department are connecting. [34505/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a dedicated TD enquiry line and mailbox for each of the main schemes whereby Teachtaí Dála can raise specific queries for their constituents directly with the relevant scheme area by phone or email. The enquiry lines and mailboxes are monitored daily to ensure an efficient and effective response is provided to queries raised.

With the onset of COVID-19, the imposition of social distancing meant that my Department had to reduce the number of staff working from within the traditional office environment. This resulted in the suspension of some of the TD enquiry lines. As more staff are now working in the Department's offices, the enquiry lines have been re-instated in all main scheme areas.

I hope this clarifies the position.