Written answers

Tuesday, 8 November 2022

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Community Welfare Services

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

722. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of community welfare officers based in County Kildare, by town and area of coverage per CWO in each of the years 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55504/22]

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

723. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of community welfare officers serving the towns Maynooth, Leixlip and Celbridge per thousand population currently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55505/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 722 and 723 together.

The following table shows the CWOs currently based in Co. Kildare:

Location No. of CWOs Full-time Equivalent
Newbridge 5 4.8
Athy 2 2
Maynooth 2 2
Total 9 8.8

A CWO is available to meet with customers in Newbridge, Athy and Maynooth or at another mutually agreed location in Co. Kildare or where necessary, they can arrange to visit a person’s house by appointment.

In addition, any person who needs to access the Community Welfare Service (CWS) can call the national CWS freephone phoneline, which is available at 0818 60 70 80, to speak to a CWO or to make an appointment to meet at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home. In cases where urgent local action is required, such as an immediate cheque payment, this is facilitated on the same day.

The application form, SWA1, is widely available. It can be downloaded at www.gov.ie. It is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices. It can also now be requested by emailing cwsforms@welfare.ie, by calling 0818 60 70 80 by or using the Request Application Form page available on www.gov.ie. The completed application form should be returned to the Department where it will be processed promptly.

The delivery of a locally based Community Welfare Service remains and will continue to remain a cornerstone of the service.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.