Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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658. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of community welfare officer posts that are currently vacant in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54773/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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There are currently 11 (10.50 full-time equivalent) Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) in County Donegal.

CWOs are available to facilitate urgent and in-person meetings in the Buncrana, Dungloe and Letterkenny Intreo Centres, 9 am – 5 pm, Monday to Friday. In addition, a person can meet a CWO by appointment in DSP offices in Ballyshannon, Donegal, Ballybofey, Dunfanaghy and Moville. CWOs can facilitate an appointment within a short time of a person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home.

A person’s case can be escalated if urgent local action is required, such as an immediate cheque payment. Where it is clear a person has an immediate need, every effort is made to ensure they receive a payment on the same day.

There are currently two CWO posts vacant in County Donegal. Work in my Department is underway to fill these vacancies as quickly as possible.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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659. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of community welfare officers nationally within the 400 filled posts who are on sick leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54774/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Department's records show that 18 Higher Executive Officers (HEO) assigned to the Community Welfare Services are currently availing of sick leave.

Of these absences ten relate to long-term absences over 28 days spanning up to two years and eight officers are on short-term sick leave for a period of less than 28 days.

All sick leave absences are case managed by the Department's HR team and where relevant, reviewed in collaboration with the offices of the Civil Service Occupational Health Department.

In line with the Departments human resource strategy, HR provides support to officers on sick leave to assist in their return to work in collaboration with the officer and local management whilst following the medical advice of the occupational health office.