Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 415: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number and names of organisations or agencies under her auspices which have been amalgamated or eliminated due to budgetary measures; the estimated savings in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42225/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In Budget, 2009 the Government announced proposals in relation to the future of two of the agencies under the aegis of the Department — the Combat Poverty Agency and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS). The Combat Poverty Agency is to be integrated with the Office for Social Inclusion within the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The decision on integration was informed by the findings of a review of the Combat Poverty Agency undertaken on foot of a Government Decision of 6th of June 2007. The Department is working with the Board of the Agency in finalising a plan for the smooth integration of both bodies. This will include meetings and workshops with the staff involved before the plan is finalised and subsequently in the course of its implementation.

The integration of the Combat Poverty Agency and the Office for Social Inclusion will create a stronger, more cohesive and better resourced body to support the Government's anti poverty and social inclusion strategies, including engagement with the social partners and other stakeholders. The quality and extent of the support provided will be much greater than each body can provide separately at present. Integration will represent much better value for money not only for taxpayers but also for those experiencing poverty and social exclusion in terms of the improved overall support which can now be provided. There will be additional direct savings in terms of accommodation and support services. The extent and timing of these savings will be identified and dealt with as part of the implementation process which is under way.

The MABS is the main Government funded service which provides assistance to people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems. It is widely recognised as providing a high quality, confidential, personal service to the public that makes a significant difference to the lives of many people. There are 53 independent MABS companies with voluntary boards of management and over 240 money advice staff operating the local services throughout the country.

However, it has been recognised for some time that the service needs a proper legislative basis and structure. The Programme for Government envisaged that such a new structure for the MABS should provide strong national leadership and at the same time maximise the current local and voluntary involvement in the service.

The Government decided that these objectives can best be achieved by placing the MABS with the Citizens Information Board. It is not envisaged that significant savings or additional costs will arise on the assignment of the provision of the MABS to the Citizens Information Board. Rather the intention is, in line with the Programme for Government, to provide strong management support to the local voluntary companies in the provision of a high quality service to meet the needs of people encountering debt difficulties in today's society. However cost efficiencies will be realised in the medium to longer term through the integration of support services such as administration and IT. The legislative provisions to give effect to the proposed changes are being provided for in the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008.