Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2022
466. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the contingency plans that are in place for citizens' information offices when staff are unavailable to work (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57981/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Citizens Information Board (CIB) is a statutory agency tasked with providing information, advocacy, and advice to citizens. These important services are delivered by eight independent regional Citizen Information Service (CIS) companies, that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres.
It is important to note that, by law, the CIB is charged with independently overseeing the delivery of services under its remit. Similarly, each CIS is an independent limited company governed by a voluntary board of directors. These eight CIS companies make decisions independently on the delivery of services including office opening hours in their respective regions.
CIB have informed me that the Citizens Information Centres make every effort to provide services to the public when they have a reduced staff due to illness or other reasons. This includes the provision of limited appointments, digital services and phone services. For safety reasons, it is not always feasible to provide face to face appointments in smaller Citizens Information Centres that encounter reduced staffing. However, in these cases appointments can be facilitated in an alternative Citizens Information Centre that is in close proximity.
