Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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19. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will outline the legal basis on which welfare inspectors are entitled to enter a person’s home. [6173/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Social Welfare Inspectors are appointed in accordance with the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. Their duties include the investigation and ongoing review of claims made by customers for the various schemes administered by my Department and ensuring that employers are compliant with their PRSI obligations.

Social Welfare Inspectors support a range of the Department's activities and schemes where on occasions a home visits could be required, for instance, to facilitate a customer who for various reasons is unable to leave their home, or to review a case without which a delay in payment to the customer might occur. Home visits may also be used to verify the information provided by the customer such as their stated residence and household composition.

My Department is quite clear that an Inspector can only enter a person’s home where the person gives permission. The Department’s guidance to staff states that the statutory power to enter premises only extends to places of employment and not to a customer’s home and that an officer should only enter a customer’s home with the permission of the customer. If a customer does not give permission, the customer will be asked to attend for interview at an office of the Department.

Officers must clearly identify themselves to the householder (all staff carry with them their certificate of appointment or official identity), and clearly explain the purpose of their visit, and only enter a person’s home if permission is granted by the customer.

Customers must at all times be treated equally, fairly, with respect and dignity. Where home visits arise, staff are expected to be sensitive to the fact that it is a person’s home and that issues may arise regarding privacy.

All officers making home visits are expected to conduct themselves appropriately in line with the Department’s instructions and guidance to staff and in accordance with the Department’s Customer Charter.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.