Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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165. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the actions his Department will take to alleviate the issue of the great difficulty persons have in meeting with the community welfare officers; if he will consider reverting back to holding individual clinics in smaller towns like Portartlington, Mountmellick, Durrow and Stradbally in Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32974/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The delivery of vital locally based Community Welfare Services to meet the challenges and 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 clients, who may find themselves in a financially difficult or vulnerable situation. It is a priority that this service is easily accessible and responsive to our client’s needs.Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) are physically on site daily in over 50 locations across the country where they are available without an appointment, during business hours, Monday to Friday. In addition to meeting people in Intreo Centres and Department of Social Protection 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. This reflects my commitment to continue to support the delivery of locally based services.A CWO is generally available to meet with clients, living in the areas of Portarlington, Mountmellick, Durrow and Stradbally in the Co. Laois area during business hours Monday to Friday in the Government Buildings, Abbeyliex Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. However, works are currently underway within this building and so, temporary alternative arrangements have been put in place to facilitate continue access to services as required. Temporary arrangements include a walk in service which is available during the morning period in Portlaoise Social Welfare Branch Office from this week with appointments remaining available in the afternoons in Government Buildings.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. Any person who needs to access the CWS can call the National CWS freephone number at 0818 60 70 80, to arrange to make an appointment or to speak directly to a CWO. A person from any location can speak with a CWO over the phone if they do not wish to travel to an office to meet with a CWO in person. This service is much used by customers in rural areas in particular, who can have their needs met or their issue clarified without the requirement to travel.Where it is clear that a person has an urgent or immediate need, every effort is made to ensure that the claim is processed on the same day. CWOs also have the facility to issue and do issue same-day manual cheque payments where it is deemed necessary. I trust this clarifies the matter.