Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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8. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the waiting lists for advocacy for persons with a disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5887/16]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money and budgeting advice) and advocacy services to all citizens on a wide range of public and social services. One of the functions of the CIB, as defined in the Comhairle Act 2000 and the Citizens Information Act 2007, is to directly provide or support the provision of advocacy services to individuals and in particular to assist those with a disability to secure their entitlement to social services.

One of the main ways in which the Citizens Information Board supports advocacy services to the general public is through its network of 42 Citizens Information Services (CIS’s), where information providers advocate on behalf of their clients mainly in relation to access to public and social services such as social welfare, housing, health and employment. Information providers support their clients to act on their own behalf wherever possible (self-advocacy). They also advocate directly on behalf of their clients through contacting and negotiating with third parties or attending meetings, hearings or appeals.

In 2011, the National Advocacy Service (NAS) was established under the Citizens Information Board to provide an independent, confidential, and free representative advocacy service to vulnerable people with disabilities who cannot self-advocate, while supporting others to use mainstream services. NAS is currently staffed by 28 Advocates and 8 Senior Advocates, managed by 4 Regional managers and a National Manager and supported by 5 Administrative staff. It is worth noting that in many cases, due to the nature of advocacy work, more lengthy engagement is required between an advocate and each client, including those who have communication difficulties.

The waiting lists as of March 2016 are as follows –