Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the support, financial or otherwise, his Department provides to the Citizen Information Services; his plans to increase this support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21702/10]

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the support, financial or otherwise, his Department provides to the Money Advice and Budgeting Service; his plans to increase this support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21701/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 82 together.

The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice, and advocacy on a wide range of public and social services on behalf of the Department. Funding of some €45.8m has been allocated to the CIB in 2010. The Citizens Information Board administers funding to the network of 42 Citizen Information Services (CIS) which operate from 262 locations nationwide comprising 110 centres and 152 outreach services. The board of the CIB has approved funding of €13.3m to the Citizen Information Services in 2010, which is an increase of €400,000 on funding available in 2009. In addition, the CIB provides development and support services, including a range of training supports; ICT infrastructure; supports to CIS Boards in relation to governance, financial and HR matters, as well as developing and publishing a wide range of resource materials relating to social services and entitlements.

Responsibility for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) transferred to the CIB in July 2009. There are 51 MABS companies providing money advice to clients operating from 65 locations around the country, as well as the National Traveller MABS which operates on a national basis. The CIB Board has allocated some €18m to MABS in 2010. In addition, MABS National Development Limited (NDL) is funded by the CIB to provide a national support and development service to local MABS companies. Its functions include: · The provision of casework technical support for staff · The management of the MABSIS statistics system

· MABS training unit which provides training support for all staff and local boards of management

· Communications with the media on budgeting & money management

· The organisation and management of the MABS National Telephone Helpline.

I am satisfied that the Citizen Information Services and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service are providing a high quality service to assist people locally and that the CIB is adequately resourced to support these services.