John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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413. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason no walk-in service is available at an Intreo office (details supplied); when a walk-in service for the public will recommence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3292/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department has three Intreo Centres in County Wicklow situated in Bray, Arklow and Baltinglass. The Department’s office in The Murrough is not an Intreo Centre.

Wicklow Town and the surrounding catchment area is serviced by the Social Welfare Branch Office, located in Unit E6 The Enterprise Centre, where clients can make and/or update their Jobseeker’s and One Parent Family claims during business hours.

My Department’s location in The Murrough, which is adjacent to the Branch Office provides the following services:

- Public Service Card – every Tuesday.

- Community Welfare Service (CWS) – every Thursday.

- Public Employment Services – by appointment on request.

Information on all of the schemes and payments administered by my Department is available at www.gov.ie. The quickest and easiest way for a person to apply for most income supports and payment statements is online at www.mywelfare.ie. A person can also call the National Intreo Contact Centre freephone number at 0818 40 50 60.

While local face-to-face engagement with clients continues to be a cornerstone of the community welfare service it is important to mention that a person does not need to meet with a Community Welfare Officer (CWO) to make an application and any person who needs to access the CWS can call the National Contact Phoneline for CWS 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 the person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at their home. Alternatively, a person can speak with a CWO over the phone if they do not wish to travel to meet with a CWO in person. CWOs working on the phoneline are dealing with approx. 1,700 callers per week. This service is proving very popular with customers in rural areas, including areas in Wicklow, who can have their needs met without the requirement to travel.

I trust this clarifies the matter.