Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2017
293. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the plans to regionalise the MABS services; if a cost benefit analysis has been carried out on this proposal; his views on the current governance of the MABS services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7233/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important to remember that the planned restructuring of services is at local company board level only. The implementation of restructured governance arrangements, on completion of this process, will not result in any diminution of locally-provided services, nor in the closure of any service delivery locations, nor result in any staff redundancies.
As the Deputy is aware, the plan to restructure the Citizens Information Board’s (CIB) service delivery partners, comprising 42 Citizens Information Services (CIS) companies and 51 Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) companies has been under consideration for a number of years now. One of the priority objectives of CIB’s Strategic Plan 2015-2018 is “to revise the structures of Citizens Information Services and MABS to better serve the citizen by improving management structures and governance, management of resources and the delivery of consistent high quality services...”.
Since the circulation to all CIS and MABS services in September 2014, of the feasibility study, commissioned by the Board of CIB, on the proposed restructure of these services, there has been ongoing and extensive consultation with all stakeholders about what the future structural model would look like. More recently, the Board of CIB established a Restructuring Sub-Committee, comprised of a number of CIB Board members, a number of staff of CIB, and representatives of both CIS and MABS services. This Subcommittee is expected to report its findings on the optimal regional structure for CIS and MABS companies to the Board of CIB shortly. Following receipt of the Restructuring Sub-Committee’s proposal, the Board of CIB will make a decision on the future regional structure for CIS and MABS companies.
While a full cost benefit analysis has not been undertaken, indicative medium term savings achievable are estimated by CIB to be in the region of €340,000 per annum. The final model as decided by the Board of CIB will ultimately determine the establishment costs of implementing the new structure, and the resultant savings achievable.
A more streamlined governance structure will result in a more targeted use of valuable staff resources, re-directed to increased front line service delivery, following a reduction in the significant administrative burden associated with maintaining 93 individual companies nationwide. This in turn should improve the service-user experience, allow for the development of additional specialist roles where required, and achieve consistency in service delivery standards across the network. Additionally, a more streamlined service delivery partner model would assist CIB in the fulfilment of its statutory obligations, help to promote awareness of the wide range of services and supports available to citizens on behalf of Government, and, in so doing, further raise the profile of both MABS and CIS Services.
In 2017, CIB is set to receive State funding of €54 million, of which €15 million is allocated to CIS services, and €24 million is allocated to the network of MABS services.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
