Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 October 2004
262 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will review the situation at an information service (details supplied) in Dublin 12 which will have to make three positions redundant if Comhairle plans to reduce financing go ahead; if he will identify additional sources of funding which would be relatively modest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26730/04]
View answerComhairle, which comes under the aegis of this Department and is the national agency responsible for information, advice and advocacy on social services, funds a network of citizen's information centres around the country. Citizen's information centres provide comprehensive information on the full range of social services available to citizens from state and voluntary agencies.
The citizen's information centre in question receives its core funding from FÁS under the social economy programme. Comhairle provided a supplementary grant of €95,630 to the centre in 2004 which enabled the centre to have a level of staffing that is above the norm for CICs. The social economy programme is due to finish in mid-November 2004 and FÁS has indicated that it does not intend to allocate any further funding to the centre. The board of Crumlin CIC was informed in 2001 by Comhairle that on the conclusion of the social economy programme in November 2004, the centre would have to revert to staffing levels that are consistent with citizens information centres countrywide.
To develop further outreach services, Comhairle has decided to provide funding for an additional part-time information officer post. Staffing levels will be reviewed on a yearly basis with the board of the CIC and additional resources allocated if deemed appropriate.
