The Citizens Information Board (CIB), which has the statutory responsibility for the Citizens Information Service (CIS) and the Money and Advice Budgeting Service (MABS) decided in February 2017 to restructure its governance arrangements. The first phase of implementation is underway in the areas of South Dublin, North Leinster (Kildare, Longford, Louth, Meath and Westmeath) and South Munster (Cork & Kerry). CIB is providing regular updates on the restructuring programme directly to all CIS and MABS Chairpersons and staff. Information sessions are being organised for Chairpersons of local services, providing an opportunity to seek clarifications on the process of transfer to the new regional companies and the wind up of the existing companies.
Implementation of the new eight region model, with the establishment of a new regional CIS and MABS company in each region, is expected to take up to two years to complete.
It is not envisaged that there will be cost savings in 2018. Cost has never been a driver of this change. The aim is to improve existing governance arrangements and to optimise the benefits from operating a more modern and streamlined citizen-focused service delivery model. For 2018, the focus for CIB and its service delivery partners is to maintain existing levels and standards of service provision to citizens during the transitional period. No major new service development initiatives are planned during this period of change.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
