Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2022
454. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Social Protection if the attention of her Department has been drawn to the decision by the Citizens Information Centre to reduce the number of volunteers in the citizens information office in County Cork from 230 to 100 for the entire country; the rationale for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25720/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body with responsibility for the Citizens Information Service (CIS). CIB provides funding to eight CIS companies that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres.
Each CIS is a limited company overseen by a board of directors and makes decisions independently on the delivery of services in their regions. Decisions regarding the delivery of services in Cork are therefore entirely a matter for the Board of the South Munster CIS.
Volunteers have not provided an information provision role in Citizens Information Services for over two years. The updates and changes to information, advice and advocacy that have taken place during the past two years have been unprecedented.
My Department therefore understands that CIB and the CIS have set up a Volunteer Strategy Working Group, which is currently working on proposals regarding the future role of volunteers in the Citizens Information Services. Recommendations from this group will inform CIB and CIS of the most suitable way to re-engage volunteers to support the services and deliver information, advice, and advocacy to the public.
The South Munster CIS Regional Manager recently invited all former volunteers to a briefing session and has sought expressions of interest from potential volunteers.
The future of the role of volunteers is not a ministerial decision but entirely an operational matter for CIB and its regional companies.
