Ned O'Keeffe
Ceist:330 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will set up Citizens Advice Bureaus in a number of towns (details supplied) in County Cork. [22181/96]
Written Answers. - Citizens Advice Centres.
The National Social Service Board, which has been operating under the aegis of my Department since June 1995, is the resource agency for the development of the independent information sector and for the development and registration of citizen's information centres.
The board has recently prepared a three year strategy for the development of local information services in every county and major urban area which will be based on an expansion of the existing network of over 80 citizen information centres. The purpose of the strategy, which is being considered in my Department, is to provide a high quality, independent, confidential and professional service which will meet the increasingly complex information needs of citizens across the spectrum of social services. This is in line with my own conviction that local access to independent, impartial and accurate information on social services is a basic right of every citizen.
In relation to the areas referred to by the Deputy, I should mention that there is a citizen's information centre in Cobh and discussions have taken place in regard to Youghal. Community groups or other organisations interested in developing citizen information centres in their areas should contact the National Social Service Board for further information and advice.