Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the setting up of a one-stop information centre, co-ordinated by his Department, FÁS, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service and other relevant bodies, to keep people informed of their social welfare rights. [32301/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The primary objective of my Department's information policy is to ensure that all citizens are made aware of the wide range of schemes and services available and that they are kept informed of changes and improvements as they occur.

My Department operates a network of approximately 130 local and branch offices throughout the country. Each Local Office has officers who are dedicated to providing information and are available to explain supports and services to people. Access to information services and the quality and range of services have been enhanced in recent years. In addition, for general enquiries a LoCall Information Line (1890 66 22 44) is in operation in my Department, which enables customers, regardless of their geographic location, to get information on schemes and services.

My Department produces a comprehensive range of information leaflets and booklets which are available in a wide range of outlets across the country, including all local Social Welfare Offices, Citizens Information Centres, Post Offices and from my Department's LoCall Leaflet Line at 1890 20 23 25. Information is also provided on my Department's website at www.welfare.ie.

A pro-active approach is taken in advertising new schemes and services, or changes and improvements to existing schemes and services, by using an appropriate mix of national and provincial media, information leaflets, fact sheets, posters and direct mailshots.

Presentations and talks are given by staff of my Department to various interest groups relevant to their needs and my Department also attends exhibitions and seminars throughout the country promoting information on social welfare rights and entitlements.

The Citizens Information Board, under the remit of my Department is the national support agency responsible for supporting the provision of independent information, advice and advocacy on the broad range of social services which includes social welfare services. The Board supports the provision of information to the public through three information channels: the Citizens Information website (www.citizensinformation.ie), the Citizens Information Phone Service and the nationwide network of Citizens Information Services. There are 42 Citizens Information Services offering information from 254 locations throughout the country, comprising 105 Citizens Information Centres (51 full-time and 54 part-time) and 149 outreach services. The Citizens Information Phone Service provides information by telephone at Lo-Call rates, operating from 9am to 9pm, Monday to Friday.

MABS, which is funded by my Department, provides assistance to people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems. MABS offices are located in 65 locations nationwide. The National Telephone Helpline 1890 283 438 (1890 BUDGET) is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 8pm and information about budgeting and a self help money management facility is also available online at the MABS website www.mabs.ie.

My Department works in co-operation with FÁS in encouraging people to participate in work, training or education through the National Employment Action Plan.

The Employment Action Plan is a preventative strategy in which the Department refers unemployed people to FÁS on reaching specified duration thresholds on the Live Register. It is a key element of the Government's labour market policy. The purpose is to enable the person to access the range of employment, training and education opportunities afforded by FÁS. It is based on the well established principle that early intervention reduces the likely duration of unemployment.

There is a significant amount of day-to-day inter-agency co-operation in the provision of information and services to citizens. While there are no plans at this time to establish a one-stop information centre, as suggested in the Deputy's question, opportunities for greater synergy between the various bodies will be kept under review.