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Phone Calls to Social Welfare Office

  • 20-08-2009 10:49am
    #1
    lo2009
    Closed Accounts Posts: 24 ✭


    Hi All,

    I just want to ask if anyone knows if the social welfare offices are answering phone queries or not, because I've heard that some don't?

    I've been trying to get through to the Coolock office but nobody is anwering the phone whenever I call. I'd go into the office myself but I live about a 40 minute drive away, and I don't own a car, also there is no public transport from where I live. My local office shut down recently, that is why I have to apply in Coolock. Therefore the only way I can check if my claim is okay is by phone call.


Comments

  • #2
    Sir Digby Chicken Caesar
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 23,556 ✭✭✭✭Sir Digby Chicken Caesar


    just keep calling and calling and calling and calling, or hitch a lift in and take a day trip to coolock.

    some times they'll answer me after two or three phone calls, a few times I've been ringing every ten minutes for the guts of three hours before someone will pick up.


  • #3
    tommy21
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,419 ✭✭✭tommy21


    Send a letter aswell explaining your prediciment and a contact number.


  • #4
    Lollipops23
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,420 ✭✭✭Lollipops23


    I've been told by the people in my office that they've simply not answering the phone anymore as their so busy...it's a bit stupid, as you've pointed out, not everyone lives within walking distance!


  • #5
    Xiney
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,085 ✭✭✭Xiney


    Yes, send a letter by snail mail with your telephone number.


  • #6
    WesternNight
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,286 ✭✭✭WesternNight


    From my experience, even if you live nextdoor you'll get a ticket and wait for anywhere between 1 and 3 hours to ask whatever question you have. Unless it's something relatively simple like getting a form from Reception, you'll be waiting ages.

    Going back to college now but when I was in there about Jobseekers stuff I was always so tempted to ask "eh, any jobs going? you seem a bit short staffed".

    I know they're busy but it's still a bit of a joke.


    *edit*

    Oops, didn't realise this was a few weeks old. Sorry!


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  • #7
    uoluol
    Closed Accounts Posts: 318 ✭✭uoluol


    The truth?? ..... No, they are probably not being answered. Or at least they are not getting priority. The reason - because it is just not physically possible to deal with the work in hand, customers who are calling into the office, and the postal queries. And as I have pointed out previously, some offices have such antiquated telephone systems that have just four lines ie for calls in and out. They don't even give an engaged tone, so someone trying to get through will not hear an engaged tone, just a ringing tone.

    Maybe if more trained staff were allocated to social welfare offices, the public would be given the service it deserves.


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