Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2017
685. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has formally met representatives of MABS and CIS who are opposed to the restructuring of their organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39132/17]
View answer689. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to meet representatives of the MABS national management forum to discuss the proposals to regionalise the MABS and CIS; if she will issue a directive and abandon these proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39170/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 685 and 689 together.
In February 2017, the Board of Citizens Information Board decided to restructure its governance arrangements to a regional model comprising sixteen companies, 8 Citizens Information Services (CIS) and 8 Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) companies.
The aim of the change is to improve the effectiveness of the control environment, financial management, and governance of CIS and MABS service networks and service delivery standards and consistency.
CIB took this operational decision following five years of analysis and consideration of options and extensive consultation with all stakeholders. As a statutory body, the Board of CIB has the sole right to make decisions on its day to day operations as it sees fit.
The considered advice received from the Office of the Attorney General is that I, as Minister, do not have the power to seek to intervene in such a decision taken by the Board, or to direct the Board not to implement its decision.
Given the advice received, any suggestions regarding proposals for alternative governance models are properly a matter for the Board of CIB. Accordingly, it is proper for the representative groups to engage with the Chair of the Board on such matters.
Since the Board's decision, CIB has held regional consultations with representatives of the CIS and MABS networks. In May, 300 representatives of staff, management, and volunteers, as well as Chairpersons and representatives of local CIS and MABS services attended these sessions. Over the summer, 238 people attended 8 Focus Groups hosted by CIB, at which service delivery strategy, board structures, linkages and staff roles under the new sixteen company model were discussed. CIB plans to hold a further Focus Group on Volunteers in October.
It is evident that CIB is seeking to implement the Board’s decision in a consultative way and is making genuine efforts to allay any concerns of staff and boards of local services in relation to the operation of the new sixteen company structure.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.
