Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That Dáil Éireann:

accepts:- the vitally important work undertaken by the Citizens Information services, CIS, and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS, offices across the country in providing information, advice and also helping citizens to manage and overcome debt; and

- the significant role these services have had in recent years assisting families with distressed mortgages;

recognises:

- that MABS and CIS offices are an intrinsic part of, and deeply embedded in, local communities which depend on them greatly;

a that voluntarism is a central component of the MABS and CIS services and ethos;

- the genuine and growing concern about the manner in which the restructuring of MABS and CIS is being undertaken and the potential negative implications of the proposed regional model;

- that the restructuring process is disenfranchising volunteers which is counterproductive;

- the growing concern about the proposed changes to local boards and the implications for members and services; and

- that those directly affected by this restructuring process believe that it is taking place without any meaningful dialogue; andcalls on the Minister for Social Protection to:- immediately utilise the power he has under the Citizens Information Act 2007 to issue a directive to halt this proposed regionalisation;

- conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the restructuring process and the proposed regional model;

- heed the concerns of those who have voiced their strong reservations about the restructuring process and to ensure that all stakeholders involved are consulted and allowed to engage in meaningful constructive dialogue to secure an outcome that is agreeable to all; and

- ensure that any restructuring process does not result in the downgrading of the quality, effectiveness and accessibility of services to citizens.

I seek the permission of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle to share my time with Deputies Marc MacSharry, John Curran, Eamon Scanlon and John McGuinness.

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