264. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of a new online tool (details supplied) to assist people with income supports and information on same; if he could point to any available funding to maintain such an essential service, which is rapidly growing in it use to ensure it remains available to the public. [66129/26]

My department has developed MyWelfare, its customer facing self-service portal which enables individuals apply for schemes, manage claims, upload supporting documentation and request statements. While members of the public can access a number of calculators and estimators, and can apply online for many schemes, comprehensive eligibility-checking facilities are not available across the full range of social welfare schemes and services. Eligibility assessments and formal decisions are made by deciding officers with access to the complete range of information, evidence and data required to make an informed determination.

A comprehensive review into technical solutions designed to enhance the customer experience when searching for and assessing eligibility for available supports is currently undertaken by my Department. Upon completion of the analysis and feasibility phase of this work, my department will consider any proposals arising from the process and these will be carefully assessed.

More than 140 separate schemes and services are administered by my department, which affect the lives of almost every person in the State. We are fully committed to ensuring that members of the public are fully aware of the welfare supports and services available, and to ensuring key changes are communicated to them.

Decisions around how information is circulated about schemes and services is informed by a range of criteria including the needs of our customers, the best channel to communicate any message, the cost and the resources available.

My Department funds the Citizens Information Board (CIB), which is a statutory agency tasked with providing independent, impartial, confidential, and non-judgmental information, advice, money advice and advocacy. CIB also acts as a signpost for people and provides information in local Citizens Information Centres, the Monday Advice and Budgetary Advice Service (MABS) and through the Citizens Information website as well as periodicals and publications. They have a dedicated resource on their website with information on topics such health, social welfare, housing, environmental grants and other services and supports and they provide guidance to people on their entitlements and how to apply for them. They do this in person and via their digital platform.

My Department also provides funding to INOU to support their work with, and on behalf of, unemployed people, including development of the annual ‘Working for Work’ publication, and training and research on unemployed people’s experiences. You can find more information here https://www.inou.ie/information/

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.