Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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95. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will acknowledge the work that has been completed by the local boards of citizens information and MABS, Money Advice and Budgeting Services, and that their input has contributed significantly to the success of these organisations; his plans to enhance their continued input at the local board level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31182/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body responsible for providing information, advice (including money and budgeting advice service) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services. CIB delivers on this remit through a network of delivery partners which includes 51 local Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS) and 42 local Citizens Information Services (CIS). In 2016, CIB has a budget allocation of €50m from the Department of Social Protection, of which €20.6m is allocated to MABS and €14.8m is allocated to CIS.I want to reassure the Deputy that the Government is committed to maintaining and, where appropriate, strengthening the local services delivered by the CIS and MABS. I acknowledge the cooperation of MABS in implementing the recently extended range of supports and services available to borrowers in serious mortgage arrears under a series of Government initiatives, most recently through ABHAILE, the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Service. Similarly, I want to acknowledge the developments on the CIS side in relation to advocacy. These MABS and CIS developments are funded and supported by my Department, including through the provision of additional staffing and other resources where required. This demonstrates my ongoing support for MABS and CIS, and my commitment to investment in local, enhanced service availability for citizens.

While local CIS and MABS services are well regarded in their respective communities, particularly by those who need and use their services, there is nonetheless a need to streamline and improve the governance arrangements for this large number of companies, which will include a reduction in the overall number of Boards of Management. The existing structure comprises 93 independent local companies (51 MABS and 42 CISs), under the remit of CIB, each with separate voluntary Boards of Management, comprising an average of 9.2 members serving. This results in a governance structure of over 850 people, with 93 companies operating individual administration systems and processes, such as payroll and financial systems. There is a significant administrative and resource effort required to continue to support such a model, and opportunities for greater efficiencies in the use of public funds and staff resources exist, including the delivery of enhancing frontline services for citizens.

An independent report in 2014, followed by consultation with the services and work by a design group resulted in a restructuring proposal for a regional model for MABS, reducing the number of companies from fifty one to six, and for CIS, reducing the number of companies from forty two to six. The proposal has recently been considered by the Board of CIB which has decided to establish a Restructuring Sub Committee comprising a number of CIB Board members, a number of staff of CIB, and representatives of the service delivery partners CIS and MABS, to develop an optimal regional structure for the network of companies together with an implementation plan. The Sub Committee is due to report back to the Board of CIB in early 2017.

I can assure the Deputy that, irrespective of the regional structure chosen, there will be no diminution of locally provided services to the public, no closure of service locations, and no staff redundancies. In fact, the aim of this Board restructuring is to ensure that any efficiencies and savings achieved in governance arrangements can be used to expand and enhance local service delivery.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.