Emergency welfare system ‘at risk of collapse’

THE system of emergency welfare payments is in danger of collapsing because of record job losses and a lack of staff to process claims, community welfare officers (CWOs) have warned.

They claim staff shortages are so chronic a growing number of staff are on stress-related leave and home visits to families in financial trouble have all but ceased.

The CWOs, members of SIPTU’s health professionals branch, said they were processing more than 200 cases a week, compared with 65 cases a little more than a year ago. They warned that, unless the Health Service Executive lifts its employment embargo, the system could reach breaking point.