Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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480. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the average wait time for an urgent needs payment in Cork city. [54832/23]

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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481. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the average wait time for an appointment with a community welfare officer in Cork city. [54833/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 480 and 481 together.

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department can make an additional needs payment (ANP) to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. An ANP is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain other supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources, and are deemed to be necessary.

Work on hand for ANPs is within the scheme's normal processing levels and fully completed applications are processed within two weeks. Applications for ANPs are varied and often quite complex, reflecting the individual circumstances being experienced. Where an application cannot be finalised promptly, the delay is normally due to the need for additional information or documentation and the time it takes for the customer to respond. Upon receipt of this information, the application is then processed quickly.

It is important to note that where it is clear that a person has an urgent or immediate need, every effort is made to ensure they receive a payment on the same day. Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) are very experienced and can generally assess when a case is so urgent that it requires an immediate response. The Community Welfare Service (CWS) is committed to providing a quality service to all citizens, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made quickly.

The CWS provides a flexible service to meet the different needs of clients, who may find themselves in a financially difficult or vulnerable situation. It is important that this service is easily accessible and responsive to our clients’ needs.

CWOs are physically on site daily in over 50 Intreo Centres across the country where they are available to be seen without an appointment, during business hours Monday to Friday including at the Cork City Intreo Centre. 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 mention 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 to meet 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 travel to meet with a CWO in person. Currently officers on the CWS phoneline are dealing with over 4,300 callers per week.

When the CWS becomes aware that a client has an urgent or immediate need, every effort is made to ensure that the person receives a prompt service. Where possible, this is a same-day service.

A person can apply for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance payment by completing a SWA1 form, which is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices and can also be requested by calling the National CWS freephone line at 0818 60 70 80 or at www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5.The completed application form should be returned to the CWS together with all supporting documentation.Alternatively, if a person has a verified MyGovID account they can apply for an ANP at www.MyWelfare.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter.