Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
969. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a request for funding for an organisation (details supplied); if a decision has been reached by her Department; the proposed timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19260/22]
View answerThe Citizens Information Board (CIB) is a statutory independent body as set out in the Comhairle Act 2010 which operates under the aegis of my Department. CIB provides funding to 22 companies in order to deliver services on its behalf. This includes eight CIS companies that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres, including South Leinster CIS which encompasses Co. Wicklow.
The Wicklow CIC office was closed in March 2020 due to Covid-19 and remains closed due to significant health and safety concerns. The Board of South Leinster CIS have subsequently identified another central location in Wicklow town from which to operate the service. However, this is subject to substantial financial investment first occurring that will enable this location to operate as a public office.
Planning permission was granted in late 2021 to undertake the necessary remedial works. However, as this was only granted late last year it was not possible to include it in this year’s CIB budget allocation, which was agreed as part of Budget 2022.
My Department and CIB are currently discussing the funding required to complete the new premises development for Wicklow Town. These discussions are taking place in the context of CIB’s 2022 budget allocation and other competing priorities. It is hoped that funding can be sourced from within the current budget allocation and it is the intention to re-open a CIC in Wicklow as soon as these works are undertaken.
