Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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259. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if community welfare officers are still meeting on a face-to-face basis with applicants who wish to apply for a supplementary welfare allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55939/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The delivery of crucial community welfare services to meet the challenges and the needs of citizens in County Kerry and across the country is a priority for me and for my Department. 

The Community Welfare Service (CWS) provides a flexible service to meet the different needs of customers, who may find themselves in a financially difficult or vulnerable situation.  It is important that this service is easily accessible and responsive to customer needs. 

Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) are available to facilitate urgent and in-person meetings in over 50 Intreo Centres nationwide, 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday.  In addition to meeting citizens in Intreo Centres, Branch Offices and DSP offices, 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 CWO is available to meet with customers living in County Kerry, at the Intreo Centres in Tralee, Killarney, Listowel and Kenmare during business hours and in Cahirciveen Intreo Centre by appointment.  They can also, where needed, arrange to visit a person’s home by appointment. 

Any person who needs to access the CWS can call the national CWS freephone number at 0818 60 70 80, to make an appointment.  This appointment can be arranged within a short time of a person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home.  The introduction of a national CWS freephone line, means a customer doesn’t have to attend an office in person to make a claim, or to make an enquiry about a claim if that is more convenient for them.  A customer can speak directly with a CWO when they call the CWS freephone line. 

A person’s case can also 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.

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 or by calling 0818 60 70 80.  Customers can also request a SWA1 form by using the Request Application Form page available on www.gov.ie.  The completed application form and supporting documentation should be returned to my 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.