Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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1004.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of WTE community welfare officers in Longford and Westmeath in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the locations in which they operate, in tabular form.[35500/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The delivery of locally based Community Welfare Services (CWS) to meet the needs of citizens across the country including in counties Longford and Westmeath is a priority for me and for my Department. The CWS provides a flexible service to meet the different needs of people, who may find themselves in a financially difficult or vulnerable situation. It is important that this service is easily accessible and responsive to people's needs. The number of Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) engaged in the delivery of CWS in Counties Longford and Westmeath from 2022 to date are as follows:

The CWOs in Co Westmeath are based in Athlone and Mullingar while the Co. Longford CWOs are based in Longford town. These and the CWOs across the country 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 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.

While local face-to-face engagement with people continues to be a cornerstone of the CWS, it is important to mention that a person does not need to meet with a CWO to make an application for assistance and any person, located anywhere across the Country, who needs to access the 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 speak with a CWO over the phone if they do not wish to travel to meet with a CWO in person.

A person can make an application for Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) by completing a SWA1 form which is available in all Intreo Centres and Social Welfare Branch Offices. This form can also be requested by calling freephone 0818 60 70 80 or at this link: www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. The completed application form together with any supporting documentation can be returned directly to my Department where the claim will be processed quickly.

As you may be aware, a person can also now apply online for an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) via www.MyWelfare.ie. This service means that there is no requirement for a person to travel to make a claim if that is their preference.

I trust this clarifies the matter.