Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 February 2023
329. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline her plans and schedule regarding the re-opening of a new full-time, face-to-face, social welfare branch office in Castlepollard, County Westmeath, following the sudden closure of the previous branch office in 2022 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5327/23]
View answerNo formal decision has yet been taken as to the opening of a new Social Welfare Branch Office dedicated to Castlepollard.
In the interim, the Department has put an outreach service in place in the County Council Offices, Mullingar Road, Castlepollard on Tuesday and Wednesday each week from 09.30 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to 16.00 since April 2022.
The outreach service is fully supported by the Mullingar Intreo Centre where customers are welcome to conduct their business by either attending in person, emailing mullingar@welfare.ie or by phone (044) 9350921. The Department’s services are also available through the Department’s digital & online channels (MyWelfare.ie).
It should be noted that, in the period since the closure of Castlepollard Branch Office and the introduction of an outreach service, the claim load has decreased by approx. 19%, from 728 to 589.
The effectiveness of this outreach service is subject to ongoing review.
Finally, I am pleased to inform the Deputy, as Minister for Rural and Community Development, I have allocated funding of €3.8million for the Castlepollard Regeneration Project.
