Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1268.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department’s plans to make all paper formed social welfare forms available in public libraries for persons who do not have access to broadband. [31594/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides multiple channels for the public to access Social Welfare application forms:

1. In person– by visiting their local Intreo Centre where hard copy forms are available. Staff in our public offices can also help customers to download one or more of the over 100 forms available on Gov.ie. We currently have digital self-service desks in 53 of our Intreo Offices, with staff trained to provide support to customers. Those who do not have their own access to technology or broadband can use this service to access our online MyWelfare services.
2. Online– paper forms can be ordered by customers on the Request Postal Application Forms page on Gov.ie. These requests are processed quickly, and the forms are posted directly to the customer’s home address.
3. By phone– by contacting the National Intreo Contact Centre for Intreo scheme forms, or by phoning other scheme areas directly. They will arrange for forms to be posted directly to the customer.
4. Post Offices– a selection of the most commonly used Social Welfare application forms is available in all 900 post offices around the country.
5. Citizens Information Centres – a selection of Social Welfare application forms is also available in local Citizen Information offices located around the country.
6. My Department regularly reviews the availability of application forms with a view to improving access.
7. I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.