John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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932. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will consider the development of an Intreo office to facilitate the Gaeltacht population of south Conamara and Cois Fharraige, Contae na Gaillimhe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29972/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Intreo Centres are a single point of contact for all employment and income supports. The Centres are designed to provide a streamlined approach, offering practical, tailored employment and financial services and supports to customers. These services are provided through the medium of Irish if this is the preference of the person availing of the service.

People from the Gaeltacht population of south Connemara and Cois Fharraige, Contae na Gaillimhe can and currently avail of the Department’s services at both the Galway Intreo Centre and Clifden Intreo Centre.

Customers are facilitated with the option of a walk in or appointment service, which provides access to; Client Identity Services (Public Services Card), Jobseeker applications and payments, One Parent Family supports, Working Family payment supports and access to Farm and Fish Assist schemes.

Intreo Centres at both Galway and Clifden also support individuals and families experiencing financial hardship through the administration of Supplementary Welfare Allowance and Additional Needs Payments. Customers may visit the offices or call the National Community Welfare Service at 0818 607080 for information in relation to assistance available under this scheme.

Employment Support Services are also available to customers of south Connemara through Group Information Sessions and one to one engagements with Employment Personal Advisors (EPA). EPAs assess job-readiness and, where appropriate, will identify barriers to employment for jobseekers. They also provide access to a range of supports from job matching to identifying suitable employment opportunities, support with CV preparation or interview training. EPAs will provide referrals to further education or training, and placement on employment support schemes where appropriate, with a view to supporting jobseekers obtain sustainable employment.

In addition to the onsite services at Galway & Clifden Intreo Centres, digital services are also available through an online portal www.mywelfare.ie for customers who wish to apply for income supports and / or obtain information on the services provided by the department. This service is also available to customers through the medium of Irish. Any customers experiencing difficulty accessing online services remotely, are welcome to avail of the self-service desks and supports available at these offices.

Further access to services of the Department is provided by emailing directly to the Intreo Centre or by contacting the National Intreo Contact Centre (NICC) at 0818 405060, where staff will assist answering customer enquiries directly.

The Department is confident that the service delivery in Galway and Clifden is meeting the needs and requirements of the customers of south Connemara and Cois Fharraige, Contae na Gaillimhe. The Department is not considering the opening of an additional Intreo Centre in Galway county at this time.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.