Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2017
683. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the actions she has taken on foot on the motion opposing the restructuring of MABS and CIS being passed by Dáil Éireann and a report from the Joint Committee on Social Protection which also called for the restructuring process to be halted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39130/17]
View answer686. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the restructuring process of MABS and CIS can be halted until such a time as there is agreement between relevant stakeholders on a way forward that is agreeable with all sides concerned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39133/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 683 and 686 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the Citizens Information Board (CIB), which has statutory responsibility for the Citizens Information Services (CIS) and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), decided on 15th February 2017 to restructure its governance arrangements to a regional model, comprising eight 8 CIS and 8 MABS companies.
As a statutory body, the Board 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, as Minister, I 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.
CIB has not taken this operational decision lightly. It follows years of analysis of options and detailed consultation with all stakeholders on the need for a more streamlined governance model. It is important to note that the new arrangements are being implemented at local company board level only. The valuable work carried out by the employees and volunteers working in CIS services and the employees of MABS services will continue as before.
In May of this year, 300 representatives of staff, management, and volunteers, as well as Chairpersons and representatives of local CIS and MABS services attended regional consultations organised by CIB. Over the summer months, 238 people attended 8 Focus Groups at which service delivery strategy, board structures, linkages and staff roles under the new company model were discussed. CIB plans to hold a further Focus Group on Volunteers in October.
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 Deputy.
