Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2017
772. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is satisfied that giving full control to the statutory Citizens Information Board to appoint all persons nominated to serve on the eight proposed regional boards (details supplied) will maintain the necessary independence of the Citizens Information services, CIS, as civic institutions between the citizen and the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32939/17]
View answerThe process for selecting board membership of the new sixteen regional boards has not yet been defined by the Citizens Information Board (CIB). Some discussions have taken place on this topic at the regional consultations, held by CIB in May 2017. Further consultations are planned over the summer months on a number of themes, one of which includes recruitment to the sixteen regional company boards and the Local Advisory Committees.
CIB in determining the recruitment process and the selection criteria to be used will have regard to best practice in the area of board appointments. It is the intention of CIB, in line with best practise, to publicly advertise the regional board positions. Expressions of interest will also be sought by the Board from existing Citizens Information Services (CIS) and Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS) company board members.
The independence of individual CIS or MABS companies is in no way undermined, or compromised, by the requirement to have appropriate and robust governance arrangements in place, which are compatible with the statutory and financial oversight needs of CIB as funder.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
