Ivana Bacik
Question:253. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make a statement on her department's oversight role in relation to the Citizens Information Service. [10660/23]
View answerThursday, 2 March 2023
Questions (253)
Written answers
The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is a statutory body with an information, advice and advocacy role in relation to a wide range of public and social services. CIB lies under the aegis of my Department, which provides annual Exchequer funding to CIB to deliver on its statutory functions.
In line with the Code of Practice on the Governance of State Bodies, an Oversight Agreement and Performance Delivery Agreement, reviewed annually, are in place with CIB and the Department. Regular oversight meetings, financial monitoring and annual management meetings take place between CIB and the Department.
Section 7(1) of the Comhairle Act charges CIB with the provision of independent information, advice and advocacy services. This is to ensure that individuals receive impartial advice and access to accurate and comprehensive information relating to social services. This statutory independence is also to ensure that Government cannot unduly influence the information or advice offered by CIB, nor dictate how it should provide services.
The CIB provides funding and support to a total of 22 companies to deliver service on its behalf. The primary mechanism by which CIB provides oversight of these companies is through Service Level Agreements (SLAs). These SLAs set out a common understanding between CIB and the companies regarding how funds will be used. Funds are allocated to the companies on an annual basis based on the SLA.
In relation to your specific query, CIB provides funding and support to eight regional Citizens Information Services companies that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres (CIC), which in turn provide information, advice and advocacy services in their respective geographic areas. Each CIS is a limited company overseen by a regional manager and board of directors. Each company is entirely responsible for all matters and decisions relating to its staff and operations.
Having said this, it is also important to recognise and protect the statutory independence of the Citizens Information Board and the separation between it and the eight independent regional Citizen Information Service (CIS) companies, which it funds, and which operate the national network of Citizens Information Centres on its behalf.
Any operational changes or decisions in the Citizens Information Service are therefore a matter for CIB and the independent boards. As Minister, I cannot direct CIS regarding operational decisions.
I trust this clarifies the matter.