Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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630. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the restructuring of MABS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50132/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Citizens Information Board (CIB), which has statutory responsibility for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) and the Citizens Information Services (CIS) decided, on 15th February 2017, to restructure the governance arrangements of these services.

The decision taken reduces the number of local CIS and MABS company boards from ninety three to a sixteen regional boards structure, comprising eight CIS boards and eight MABS boards. CIB has taken this operational decision following years of analysis of options and a detailed consultation period with all stakeholders on the need for a more streamlined governance model. The changes are being made at local company board level only. The valuable work carried out by employees and volunteers working in CIS services and employees of MABS services will continue as heretofore.

The Citizens Information Board is committed to the principle of local involvement in service delivery and has already held discussions on proposed new Local Advisory Committees. CIB is committed to giving this matter further attention, through the Implementation Group’s work, to devise a strategy to embed an effective and supportive network to ensure that the long standing, helpful, local linkages are not lost under the new governance arrangements.

With regard to membership of the new regional boards, CIB has committed to apply modern best practice and fairness in its selection and recruiting methods, in line with best practice guidelines developed by the Public Appointments Service. Existing Board members of local CIS and MABS companies will also have an opportunity to express their interest in joining the new regional boards.

I am informed that Kerry MABS is included in the initial phase of the restructuring process in the South Munster region. I am also informed that as the restructuring process progresses, all CIS and MABS services will be requested to commence gathering the information required to facilitate what is known as the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employees) (TUPE) process for employees and the transfer of business assets/liabilities.

It is the intention of CIB to provide information and support through the transitional period, and in this regard, information sessions are being organised for Chairpersons of local services, providing an opportunity for Chairpersons to seek clarifications on the process of transfer to the new regional companies and wind up of the existing companies.

While cost savings was never a key aim of the restructuring of governance arrangements by the CIB, the transition will not be without cost to the Exchequer. It is nonetheless necessary in order to achieve the appropriate standards of accountability expected from 100% publicly funded services. The aim of the change remains to improve existing governance arrangements and to optimise the benefits from operating a more modern and streamlined citizen-focused delivery model.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.