Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will start where the Deputy finished. Citizens information centres are a trusted source of information, advice and advocacy with a long tradition of volunteering. The Minister fully supports the continued valuing of the role of volunteers in CIS companies. The strong view of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, which I share, is that the important service provided by citizens information centres should continue to be available to the public when they need it. This is particularly true given the current cost-of-living crisis and the challenges facing people across the country. As I mentioned earlier, the Minister recently met with the CEO and chairperson of the CIB and sought further information on the issue of volunteers in CIS companies. The board is fully engaged with these companies to support the continued return of volunteers. The CIB has commissioned an independent review of the volunteer programme in the service and has indicated that citizens information companies will not make any decisions on office locations before the findings of the independent review are considered. This is very much welcomed.

If the Acting Chair will indulge me for 30 seconds, I will leave the script. I come in here often to read answers on Topical Issue matters. To be very fair to the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and her Department, this is one of the most comprehensive answers I have ever had to give to a Deputy across the House. There is action from the Minister and from within the Department. The answer includes a plan and it addresses every one of the issues the Deputy and the people who have come to him have highlighted. I can see a pathway towards all of this being resolved.

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