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Citizens Information Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2018

Tuesday, 20 February 2018

Questions (78)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

78. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the restructuring of MABS and the CIS; her views on this restructuring process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8308/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is a statutory body established by the Oireachtas. In addition to its own statutory responsibilities in relation to information and advocacy service provision, it has statutory responsibility for the countrywide networks of Citizens Information Services (CIS) and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS). In February 2017 the statutory Board of the Citizens Information Board decided to restructure the governance arrangements of the CIS and MABS networks, from the current structure of ninety three individual local companies to a sixteen regional company model, comprising eight CIS and eight MABS companies. The CIB Executive is currently implementing the decision taken by the Board, as it is required to do. An Implementation Group, with cross sectoral representation has been set up, to assist with the transition to the new governance model.

CIB has, and will continue to, provide the necessary information and support to each of the local companies and their chairpersons and boards, throughout the transitional period.

Information sessions have already been held for chairpersons of the 38 companies transitioning to the regional companies in Phase 1. Earlier this week, consultation sessions were held with CIS Development Managers and MABS Money Advice Co-ordinators regarding the preparations needed to transfer to the new companies and to address any queries they had. Further information sessions will be held for the companies transitioning in the remaining phases.

It is expected that full transition to the 16 new companies will take up to two years to complete.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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