Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:28 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to introduce citizens' advice bureaus, particularly in deprived areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Citizen Information Centres.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:76 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health if he favours a policy of providing greater financial aid to local communities to provide more information centres in local areas.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 76 together.
At present, a network of 80 Citizens Information Centres extends throughout the country. Funding and other support services for these centres is provided by the National Social Service Board. In 1991 funding amounted to £150,000 and this is expected to increase to £170,000 in 1992. In addition to supporting these centres, the National Social Service Board also operate a Mobile Information Unit which travels extensively around the country, including areas not serviced by an existing centre.
The National Social Service Board are very aware of a citizen's right to information on services and entitlements and every effort is made to promote this objective. In 1991 new Citizen Information Centres were opened at Mitchelstown and Fermoy, County Cork, and in the Liberties areas of Dublin. A further new centre was opened in Tullamore within the last few days. The board are working with local groups in a number of other areas with the aim of establishing additional centres during the current year.