Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1317.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of vacant WTE community welfare officer posts currently by office, in tabular form. [32079/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The delivery of locally based community welfare Services to meet the needs of citizens across the country is a priority for me and for my Department. The Community Welfare Service (CWS) provides a flexible service to meet the different needs of people, who may find themselves in a financially difficult or vulnerable situation and it is important that this service is easily accessible and responsive to people's needs.

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, during business hours, Monday to Friday. 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 or indeed where facilities are in place, at their local Social Welfare Branch Office.

The schedule below details the number of vacant CWO posts nationwide. It is important to note that all customer facing services are fully resourced at all times and that overall work on hand in all locations is within the scheme's normal processing levels and fully completed applications, where the required documentation is supplied, are processed within ten days.

While local face-to-face engagement with people continues to be a cornerstone of the CWS, it is important to mention that there has been significant expansion of the CWS services and supports and a person does not need to meet with a CWO to make an application or to have an application processed. Any person who needs to access the Community CWS can call the National CWS freephone number at 0818 60 70 80, to make an appointment or to speak directly to a CWO. A person can also speak with a CWO over the phone if they do not wish to travel to meet with a CWO in person. CWS services are also available on line . Significantly numbers of people fully use these services as they find them very convenient.

These vacancies have arisen through various staff movements, including retirements, promotions, and staff transfers. Work is continuing on filling these posts and offers are underway on a number of them.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1318.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the blanket ban implemented on the community welfare officer to award a person money through a supplementary welfare allowance for travel to and from hospital appointments, if they hold a free bus pass (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32086/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system, in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. This can include assistance with transport costs incurred for attending hospital appointments where there are no other supports available.

The decision process involves consideration of the need presented and the ability of the person and their household to meet that need. Other State supports that may already be available to the person are also considered.

In considering an Additional Needs Payment application for assistance with transport costs incurred for attending hospital appointments, the Community Welfare Officer considers any alternatives available to the customer, including transport services offered by the Health Service Executive, other community development initiatives and the applicant's access to the Free Travel Scheme.

While there is no statutory requirement for the Health Service Executive to provide Patient Transport Services, transport services can be provided on a discretionary basis. Examples of cases where transport services can be provided include where a patient’s medical condition impacts to such an extent that necessitates the use of Patient Transport Services, and where the cost of travelling to a service would cause undue hardship to the patient.

The affordability of such services, which must be within financial limits of the local Community Healthcare Organisations, must ultimately be made by the budget holder within the Community Healthcare Organisation. Such decisions must also be made in line with other related policies and legislation. To avail of transport services, a person’s medical needs must be assessed by a Health Care Professional (e.g., General Practitioner).

Specific ‘Health Appointment Service’ transport is operated by Local Link in some parts of the country. In addition, the National Cancer Control Programme manages and delivers Ireland’s cancer programme for the Health Service Executive. The National Cancer Control Programme funds a travel scheme to help some patients pay for costs incurred travelling to cancer tests and treatment.

The Free Travel Scheme allows persons to travel, free of charge, on all public transport owned by the State. This includes bus, rail, Local Link, and the Luas, with some exceptions. Free travel is also available on some services operated by private bus and ferry transport operators.

In general, it is expected that persons attending hospital appointments should make their own arrangements for journeys by using Public Transport or Local Link transport in rural areas. Where a person who is required to attend the medical appointment has more serious medical issues that prevents them from using public transport, it would be expected that a suitable method of transport would be arranged by their medical team.

Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via .

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.