Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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298. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of community welfare officer positions that are filled and vacant, respectively by county; the number of community welfare officers in each Intreo office in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46850/22]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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300. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when her Department will complete the review of the operation of the exceptional and urgent needs’ payments by community welfare officers; if this review will include staffing requirements for INTREO offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46852/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 298 and 300 together.

The delivery of crucial community welfare services to meet the challenges and the needs of citizens across the country remains a priority for me and my Department.  It is important that the Community Welfare Service (CWS) remains an accessible, flexible, and responsive service to meet the varied needs of vulnerable people, particularly in a time of crisis or emergency.

The Department has maintained staffing levels in the CWS nationwide in recent years during times when demands decreased, reflective of the commitment to continue to support the delivery of locally based services to customers. 

The following schedule details the number of CWO positions that are currently filled and vacant, respectively by county: 

Work is underway to fill the vacancies which have arisen through various staff movements, including staff availing of mobility opportunities to other Departments.

I trust this clarifies the matter.