Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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426. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of community welfare officers in County Tipperary in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the locations in which these services were located in each year. [62237/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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There are currently 14 (WTE 13.3) Community Welfare Officers based in County Tipperary:

Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) are physically on site daily in over 50 Intreo Centres across the country where they are available to be seen without an appointment, 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday including at the Clonmel and Thurles Intreo Centres. 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.

It is important to note that a person does not need to meet with a CWO to make a claim and any person who needs to access the CWS can call the National CWS freephone number at 0818 60 70 80, to make an appointment or to speak directly to a CWO. An 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. Alternatively, a person can speak with a CWO over the phone if they do not wish to wait or to travel to meet with a CWO in person – currently the CWOs on the phoneline are dealing with approx. 1,700 callers per week and this service is proving very popular with customers in rural areas.

When the CWS becomes aware that a customer has an urgent or immediate need, every effort is made to ensure that the person receives immediate service. Where possible, this is a same-day service and circa 9%+ of our payments are made on the day to clients.

A person can apply for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) payment by completing a SWA1 form, which is widely available. It can be downloaded at www.gov.ie.It is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices. It can also be requested by emailing cwsforms@welfare.ieor by calling 0818 60 70 80. Customers can also request a SWA1 form by using the Request Application Form page available onwww.gov.ie. The completed application form and supporting documentation can be posted or dropped into the local Intreo Centre where it will be processed quickly.

Given the fluctuation in demand for the Community Welfare Service, particularly during the pandemic when resources were allocated to areas where they were most needed, it is not possible to provide accurate information relating to years prior to 2022.

I trust this clarifies the matter.