Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2017
775. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Social Protection the consideration that was given to the issue involved in dissolving and replacing the Citizens Information services, CIS, and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS, by the Citizens Information Board in the period from the November 2014 board meeting to the meeting in October 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32942/17]
View answerThe Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body responsible for providing information, advice (including money and budgeting advice service) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services. CIB delivers on this remit through a network of delivery partners, which includes 51 local Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS) and 42 local Citizens Information Services (CIS).
Extensive analysis and consideration of options for restructuring of governance arrangements has taken place over the past number of years, including extensive consultations with stakeholders. A Feasibility Study was commissioned by CIB and carried out by Pathfinder. Pathfinder approached the study with detailed consultations with all stakeholders including local services, representative bodies, local boards, staff, and in the case of CIS’s volunteers.
The Report was presented to the Board of CIB in September 2014. Following the Board meeting, a copy of the report was issued to all boards and managers of CIS and MABS services. Feedback was sought from delivery services countrywide and channelled through National Association for Citizens Information Services (NACIS), the representative body for Citizens Information Services, National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Management Forum (NMF), the representative bodies for staff working in MABS and for MABS companies respectively. Thirty- two responses were received. On 14 October 2014, the Board of CIB heard submissions on restructuring from NACIS, NEC and NMF representing the boards and staff of CIS and MABS services.
On 19 November 2014, the Board of CIB’s Register of Decisions recorded the following entry ‘decision that change is needed in the structure of delivery partner companies was confirmed". The Board also agreed that a Design Group be tasked with presenting options on new organisational models for its consideration.
The work of the Design Group took place in 2015 and recommended restructuring on a regional model basis. On the 5 October 2016, the Board of CIB again heard submissions from NACIS, NEC and NMF in relation to restructuring proposals. On 12 October 2016, having reviewed the output of the Design Group and submissions by the representative bodies, the Board decided to proceed with restructuring on a regional model basis. This decision is recorded in the Register of Board decisions.
The Board established a Restructuring Sub Committee to progress this work and report back to the Board of CIB in January 2017. On 15th February 2017, following detailed discussion on the Report of the Restructuring Sub-Committee, the Board of CIB decided to adopt the Report and proceed with its implementation. The new governance model referred to in the Report comprises of eight regions, with eight CIS companies and eight MABS companies. Acceptance of the restructuring group’s recommendation and CIB’s decision to move forward with this model was entered in the Register of CIB Board decisions.
The decision to change the governance arrangements of CIS and MABS companies has been taken by the statutory Board of CIB after a lengthy period of consultation and detailed consideration of the options and views put forward at all stages. I am confident that the membership of the Board of CIB, which comprises of experienced and competent individuals, representative of a broad spectrum of interests and which includes representatives of the Citizens Information Service and Money Advice and Budgeting Service, has made this important decision in the best interests of the citizens of Ireland, whom the Board serves.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
