Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank my good friend and colleague, Deputy O'Connor, for sharing time.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Citizens Information Bill 2006 and I congratulate the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, on introducing it. The Bill is a fundamental part of the Minister's strategy to have an effective combination of supports in place to ensure the uniform provision of quality and relevant information, advice and advocacy services across the board under the brand of citizens' information.

The primary purpose of the Bill is to amend the Comhairle Act. I appreciate the tremendous work and effort of Comhairle and congratulate it thereon. I refer in particular to the very useful information it publishes throughout the year, especially in the publication entitled Relate.

Thousands of individuals and representatives of organisations frequently tell me about the tremendous support, information and services they receive from Comhairle. In the course of my constituency work, I have found Comhairle to be outstanding and I offer my congratulations to all involved. I am very pleased that the Bill strengthens the functions of Comhairle and I firmly believe information and advocacy are very important. They are now more relevant than ever before.

We live in interesting and challenging times. In Ireland we enjoy a bubbling economy that is the envy of many of our European neighbours. We have enjoyed some very good years and I am confident that Fianna Fáil, when in Government, will continue to safeguard the progress made to date and plan a future with positive results for all, especially the more vulnerable. The efforts of successive Fianna Fáil-led Administrations to develop our economy, infrastructure and communities have borne fruit. Over the past ten years we have witnessed unprecedented economic growth and dividends have been invested in our social services and other supports and structures in local communities. I want the progress made in recent years in our great country to continue and I want us to consolidate, maintain and build upon it. We should be proud that all our citizens, especially the vulnerable, can gain access to information and supports easily and freely.

We are often reminded that we live in an information society and this is true. This is why the Bill is timely; it will meet the needs of a rapidly changing society and keep abreast of the array of supports and services that are now in place. The information elements of the Bill are very relevant and designed to meet the needs of our rapidly changing society, in which the delivery of independent, accurate and user-friendly information to the public is so important.

Three groups in particular spring to mind when considering the benefits of this Bill, namely, the disabled, the elderly and the vulnerable.

One of the greatest achievements of western society in the 21st century has been the increase in life expectancy. Figures from the Central Statistics Office, collated from the results of the census, suggest the average age of our population is increasing and that there is a noticeable increase in life expectancy among the three aforesaid groups. The 1996 census showed that 11.5% of the Irish population was over 65 and recent projections suggest that, by 2031, this figure will have more than doubled.

The Government's commitment to the development of a comprehensive range of supports and services to all citizens, especially the disabled, elderly and vulnerable, can be demonstrated clearly by outlining the resources made available in recent years, along with the service developments. This Bill and Comhairle's strategic plan serve as a suitable mechanism with which to provide relevant information to the entire population.

I support the Minister's view that the provision of independent, clear and accessible information has a central role in helping to break down barriers, ease anxieties, open up opportunities and, very often, clear the way for citizens, particularly the most vulnerable, to improve their circumstances and build better lives. The Minister, his Department and Comhairle have undertaken a formidable task and have made great progress in commencing the process in question to ensure that information is accessible and that the personal advocacy service is based on a legislative and sound footing.

I cannot over-emphasise the importance of being able to access relevant information freely, easily and in a user-friendly manner. Examples of successful initiatives and practices need to be shared. A mechanism should be put in place to accommodate some types of shared success stories by way of chat avenues, whereby groups or individuals could share in the benefits of successful outcomes.

Comhairle is the national agency responsible for the provision of information, advice and advocacy services for everyone. From time to time, it focuses on a specific group and at present it is prioritising the information needs of older people. It recognises that older people need specific information at specific points of transition and it provides tremendous information, including all the facts and figures. The October 2006 edition of Relate covers a multitude under the theme "Information Needs of Older People". Chapter headings include "From Work to Retirement", "Illness and Needing Care", "From Home to Long-Term Care", "Health Services", "Taxation" and "Equal Treatment". It is great stuff and my only problem is that it is one-way traffic. I suggest that the Minister consider piloting an initiative in which individuals or groups could benefit from successful outcomes arising from tapping into relevant information such as that in question, and that he consider the manner in which it is applied and the benefits that accrue.

We need Comhairle and all the relevant information but it would be of great benefit if we could accommodate an information-sharing or chat page, perhaps on the new citizens' information website. Perhaps it could be accommodated easily. Difficulties arise owing to gaps in services around the country. We need to be a little more proactive across various Departments and regions to ensure uniform eligibility criteria, assessment and provision.

I very much welcome the fact that the Bill provides for the introduction of a personal advocacy service for certain persons with a disability. I note that the Minister said in his Second Stage contribution that "the Bill provides for the introduction of a personal advocacy service for certain people with disabilities who would otherwise have difficulty obtaining access to the services in place to assist them." However, what happens if the services are not in place?

We all acknowledge that there are gaps in service provision and that there can be "poles apart" variations around the country. There are many examples but from my experience I encountered gaps and variations in the provision of health and social services, along with services provided by the local authorities. To be fair, we have made great strides in the development of social services and in achieving social inclusion. However, with ever-changing goalposts, I often find that gaps and variations remain, not just at regional, departmental or agency levels but also at local level in terms of decision-making, even where there are clear qualifying criteria in place. Interpretations can vary from person to person within the same office and, given the existence of gaps at regional level, this causes some difficulties.

Many good things are happening in our services and in every community but we still have some way to go to ensure our services, supports and structures are such that there are equal opportunities for all. Issues in this area arise from a range of factors and they need to be addressed and resolved.

I share the Minister's view that the new personal advocacy service will be invaluable in supporting people with disabilities. I understand the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, has already allocated €14 million for the provision of personal advocacy services. Those services, as set out in this Bill, provide for the assignment of a personal advocate to assist, support and represent a person with a disability in applying for and obtaining social services and in pursuing any right of review or appeal in connection with that service. As I envisage it, the position of personal advocate will be invaluable. Given that we currently enjoy almost full employment and great job opportunities with high earnings, there may be difficulties in filling those positions. While the allocation of €14 million is very welcome, we will need to monitor developments.

I note the Minister has put arrangements in place for the new personal advocate service. Those arrangements will be completed when the Bill is enacted. I ask the Minister to keep an open mind on this service because it might need to be somewhat flexible until it beds down, as one might expect with a new service. Overall, the development of the personal advocate service and advocacy services in general is very welcome. If these services are monitored and modified as required, this will be the breakthrough of the century. Can the Minister, Deputy Brennan, give the House details of the arrangements he has prepared in advance of the enactment of this legislation?

While I appreciate I am running out of time, I would like to deal with one section of the Bill. I refer to section 7 and specifically to the new section 7E. Will personal advocates work on a one-to-one basis at local level? Can a personal advocate be a family member? I fully appreciate the principles the Minister wishes to achieve throughout the Bill, particularly in section 7. Equally, I feel we need to provide for a level of flexibility. While such a level of flexibility could be interpreted as being provided for in section 7E, I am not sure all the safety valves which are provided for are needed. The Citizens Information Board may have to arrange for the functions of a personal advocate to be performed by persons other than its members of staff. Such a decision would have to be referred to the Minister for Social and Family Affairs for approval. I ask the Minister, who has indicated he will make changes to the published legislation, to consider this issue. He has said he will amend the section that sets out the qualifications required to be a personal advocate in the personal advocacy service, for example. Family members and friends should be accommodated in this regard. I appreciate the amount of time I have been given and I am sorry I do not have more time.

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