Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to increase funding for the citizens information service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30972/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of information in a clear and simple manner is an essential element in the effective delivery of social welfare services by my Department. My priority is to ensure that people are fully aware of their entitlements and are advised and assisted when the need arises to avail of the schemes and supports available.

My Department funds Comhairle, the statutory agency responsible for ensuring individuals, in particular those with disabilities, have access to accurate, comprehensive and clear information relating to social services. Comhairle supports and funds a network of citizens information services to provide information, advice and advocacy services to the public on a wide range of civil and public services.

Since its establishment in June 2000, Comhairle has continually sought ways of developing effective and accessible channels to meet the different information needs of individuals and communities. In 2004, Comhairle developed a customer-centred, integrated approach to citizens information. To this end, citizens information is promoted as a brand name for the public to access information through the three delivery channels of citizens information centres, CICs, the citizens information phone service and the OASIS website.

In 2005, approximately €10 million was dedicated to the provision of citizens information. This amount comprises funding to cover the costs of information service promotion, advocacy projects and ICT in individual CICs, the costs of premises, wages and general administration throughout the CIC network and the cost of the citizens information phone service.

Citizens information is provided from 247 CICs throughout the country. This reflects an increase in service locations from 196 in 2001. The citizens information centres provide a very valuable service to people. I am satisfied that the information service provided by the CICs is valued by the community. I intend to see that Comhairle will be in a position to continue to support these centres. Ongoing and increased funding for Comhairle is a matter which will be addressed in the context of the upcoming budget. I look forward to Comhairle and my Department working together in partnership to ensure that citizens will have a variety of channels to access information when needed.