Vol. 508 No. 4
55 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his views on the need to integrate information on staff employed by local ICTU unemployed centres, such as the northside centre for the unemployed in Coolock, in the new NSSB structures as envisaged in the proposed Comhairle Bill. [18891/99]
The Comhairle Bill will establish a new agency, to be known as Comhairle, which will be responsible for the provision of independent information, advice and advocacy services throughout the country. This new agency will combine the National Social Service Board with relevant functions of the National Rehabilitation Board. This move towards a new integrated agency follows a Government decision to replace the NRB with a new national disability authority and to transfer certain functions to a number of Departments-agencies providing mainstream services to the community.
The improvement of information and support services for people with disabilities was among the key recommendations contained in the Report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities. The establishment of Comhairle will ensure that services for people with disabilities will become an integral part of an enhanced mainstream information, advice and advocacy service for all citizens, building on the resources and expertise of both existing organisations.
This new agency will incorporate the resources of the NSSB and the relevant areas of the NRB and will support the provision of information throughout the country using the existing network of 85 citizen information centres and, as appropriate, facilities currently operated under the aegis of the NRB. The drafting of the necessary legislation is now almost complete and I intend to bring the Comhairle Bill before the House shortly.
My Department has provided grants on an annual basis to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) towards the cost of a central unit supporting a network of centres for the unemployed throughout the country. These centres have traditionally operated as an independent network providing a range of services, including information and advice, to people out of work.
The new agency, Comhairle, will continue the role of the NSSB in supporting and developing the capacity of the independent information sector in meeting the information, advice and advocacy needs of all citizens at local level. This is currently achieved by providing a range of services e.g. information and training, for the support and development of the independent information sector. It will include a continuation of the strong links that already exist with a variety of organisations such as area partnerships, youth information services and centres for the unemployed. The board of Comhairle will be happy to consider any proposals for closer co-operation with other organisations, including any potential for integration of services leading to improvements in the delivery of information and advice at local level.
