Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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683. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the actions she has taken on foot on the motion opposing the restructuring of MABS and CIS being passed by Dáil Éireann and a report from the Joint Committee on Social Protection which also called for the restructuring process to be halted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39130/17]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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686. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the restructuring process of MABS and CIS can be halted until such a time as there is agreement between relevant stakeholders on a way forward that is agreeable with all sides concerned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39133/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 683 and 686 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the Citizens Information Board (CIB), which has statutory responsibility for the Citizens Information Services (CIS) and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), decided on 15th February 2017 to restructure its governance arrangements to a regional model, comprising eight 8 CIS and 8 MABS companies.

As a statutory body, the Board has the sole right to make decisions on its day to day operations as it sees fit. The considered advice received from the Office of the Attorney General is that, as Minister, I do not have the power to seek to intervene in such a decision taken by the Board, or to direct the Board not to implement its decision.

CIB has not taken this operational decision lightly. It follows years of analysis of options and detailed consultation with all stakeholders on the need for a more streamlined governance model. It is important to note that the new arrangements are being implemented at local company board level only. The valuable work carried out by the employees and volunteers working in CIS services and the employees of MABS services will continue as before.

In May of this year, 300 representatives of staff, management, and volunteers, as well as Chairpersons and representatives of local CIS and MABS services attended regional consultations organised by CIB. Over the summer months, 238 people attended 8 Focus Groups at which service delivery strategy, board structures, linkages and staff roles under the new company model were discussed. CIB plans to hold a further Focus Group on Volunteers in October.

CIB is seeking to implement the Board's decision in a consultative way and is making genuine efforts to allay any concerns of staff and boards of local services in relation to the operation of the new sixteen company structure.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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684. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the cost-benefit analysis of the MABS and CIS restructuring process has been completed; if completed, the findings of this analysis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39131/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Citizens Information Board (CIB) has statutory responsibility for the Citizens Information Service (CIS) and Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS).

A full Cost Benefit Analysis on the new sixteen regional board model has been commissioned by CIB and is due for submission to the Board of CIB in September.

As highlighted previously, cost savings is not the driver of the change to reduce the number of service delivery companies from ninety three to sixteen. The aim of the change is to improve existing governance arrangements and optimise the benefits from operating a more modern and streamlined citizen focused delivery model. Where efficiencies may occur from the changes, resources will be redirected towards improving the range and in some cases the consistency of quality of service provision to those who use CIS and MABS services countrywide.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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685. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has formally met with representatives of MABS and CIS who are opposed to the restructuring of their organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39132/17]

Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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689. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to meet with representatives of the MABS national management forum to discuss the proposals to regionalise the MABS and CIS; if she will issue a directive and abandon these proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39170/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 685 and 689 together.

In February 2017, the Board of Citizens Information Board decided to restructure its governance arrangements to a regional model comprising sixteen companies, 8 Citizens Information Services (CIS) and 8 Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) companies.

The aim of the change is to improve the effectiveness of the control environment, financial management, and governance of CIS and MABS service networks and service delivery standards and consistency.

CIB took this operational decision following five years of analysis and consideration of options and extensive consultation with all stakeholders. As a statutory body, the Board of CIB has the sole right to make decisions on its day to day operations as it sees fit.

The considered advice received from the Office of the Attorney General is that I, as Minister, do not have the power to seek to intervene in such a decision taken by the Board, or to direct the Board not to implement its decision.

Given the advice received, any suggestions regarding proposals for alternative governance models are properly a matter for the Board of CIB. Accordingly, it is proper for the representative groups to engage with the Chair of the Board on such matters.

Since the Board's decision, CIB has held regional consultations with representatives of the CIS and MABS networks. In May, 300 representatives of staff, management, and volunteers, as well as Chairpersons and representatives of local CIS and MABS services attended these sessions. Over the summer, 238 people attended 8 Focus Groups hosted by CIB, at which service delivery strategy, board structures, linkages and staff roles under the new sixteen company model were discussed. CIB plans to hold a further Focus Group on Volunteers in October.

It is evident that CIB is seeking to implement the Board’s decision in a consultative way and is making genuine efforts to allay any concerns of staff and boards of local services in relation to the operation of the new sixteen company structure.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.