Citizens Information Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2023

Tuesday, 4 July 2023

Questions (389)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

389. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection when she expects the review of the draft service level agreements for citizens information service companies will be completed, as it appears from the board minutes of the Citizens Information Board obtained under FOI that the delay in rolling out these contracts sit with her Department, and it is almost two years since the previous service level agreements expired; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32257/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is a statutory body under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection. CIB funds and supports 22 Service Delivery Companies to deliver services on its behalf; these arrangements are laid out in Service Level Agreements (SLAs) between CIB and the companies.

It is the responsibility of CIB to update these SLAs and engage with the companies and other relevant stakeholders as part of this process. I am informed by CIB that the current SLAs of the 22 companies have been extended to the end of 2023 in order to complete this engagement process.

As part of this process, CIB invited the Department to review the revised draft SLAs that CIB had developed in consultation with the companies. Once all the draft SLAs were received by CIB, my Department reviewed these in detail.

I am informed by CIB that it now plans to engage further with the companies in finalising the new SLAs.

I trust this clarifies the Deputy’s query.