John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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57. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his plans to promote local governance, management and independence of all MABS and CIS centres (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17461/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The board of Citizens Information Board (CIB) wants to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and responsiveness of its services. It aims to do this by restructuring the governance arrangements from 93 local company boards to a reduced 16 regional company board model. This will allow resources to be redirected from the current heavy administrative burden to front line service delivery. The changes will be at local company board level only and no closures or changes will occur at service delivery points. In other words, the frontline services provided by Citizens Information Services (CIS) and Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS) will continue to operate as they do currently regardless of changes implemented at board level.

The Board fully acknowledges the tremendous contributions that members of local boards have made to the development of CIS and MABS companies over the years, and appreciates that some of these individuals are keen to continue playing an active role. In recognition of this, and to continue to encourage this ethos, CIB plans to set up Local Advisory Groups. In addition, current local board members will be able to go forward for selection as members of the new regional boards.

The reduced company model will better support direct engagement with and by CIB, to implement new initiatives consistently, and facilitate greater interaction with fewer boards. This in turn will deliver faster responses to the modern day needs of service users. Those availing of CIS and MABS services will be assured that where they live does not impact on the level or quality of service they receive.

Importantly, the changes will bring the CIS and MABS organisations more into line with modern public service governance guidelines and requirements where significant State funding is involved. The new model will better assist CIB in the fulfilment of its statutory obligations, its compliance with the Code of Practise for Governance of State Bodies, and implementation of recommendations of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

In 2017, CIB is set to receive State funding of €54 million, of which €15 million is allocated to CIS services (including €13.1 million to the 42 local Citizens Information Services, €1.2 million to Citizens Information Phone services and, the balance, €0.7 million to central and other supports), and €24.6 million is allocated to the network of MABS services (including €15.4 million to the 51 local MABS, €0.3m to National Traveller MABS, €2.0 million to MABS National Development Company, €3.3million to the MABS Dedicated Mortgage Arrears initiative, €3.5 million to the Abhaile service, and the remaining €0.1m to MABS central supports).

The valuable work carried out by the employees and volunteers working in CIS services and the employees of MABS services will continue as heretofore. The planned structural changes in no way threaten the continuing access to, or extent of, information and assistance provided by locally based front line services to those who need it.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.