John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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20. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date by the Citizens Information Board with regard to the restructuring of CIS and MABS services; the timeframe for the restructuring; the estimated cost savings that will be made in 2018 as a result of the restructuring; the improved services that will be made available in 2018 as a result of this restructuring; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1908/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Citizens Information Board (CIB), which has the statutory responsibility for the Citizens Information Service (CIS) and the Money and Advice Budgeting Service (MABS) decided in February 2017 to restructure its governance arrangements. The first phase of implementation is underway in the areas of South Dublin, North Leinster (Kildare, Longford, Louth, Meath and Westmeath) and South Munster (Cork & Kerry). CIB is providing regular updates on the restructuring programme directly to all CIS and MABS Chairpersons and staff. Information sessions are being organised for Chairpersons of local services, providing an opportunity to seek clarifications on the process of transfer to the new regional companies and the wind up of the existing companies.

Implementation of the new eight region model, with the establishment of a new regional CIS and MABS company in each region, is expected to take up to two years to complete.

It is not envisaged that there will be cost savings in 2018. Cost has never been a driver of this change. The aim is to improve existing governance arrangements and to optimise the benefits from operating a more modern and streamlined citizen-focused service delivery model. For 2018, the focus for CIB and its service delivery partners is to maintain existing levels and standards of service provision to citizens during the transitional period. No major new service development initiatives are planned during this period of change.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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21. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the concerns raised by her Department as referenced in the recently published cost benefit analysis undertaken on behalf of the Citizens Information Board regarding the structure of the MABS service prior to the restructuring plans now underway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2059/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The aim of the decision by the Board of the Citizens information Board (CIB) to restructure local Citizens Information Services (CIS) and Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) company boards is to improve the governance arrangements with its downstream service delivery partners. It must be remembered that citizen centric CIS and MABS services are 100% funded by the Exchequer. It is essential that each company operates to modern and evolving standards of corporate governance, including compliance with necessary financial and audit requirements.

Under the current unwieldy arrangements, each of the 93 services operates as independent entities and considerable administrative effort is required in the maintenance of each individual company. As many common services are delivered to citizens across the country, opportunities exist to improve service standards and consistency nationwide. Reducing the administrative burden on local service managers and re-direction of valuable resources to front line services will improve services for those who rely on them.

In parallel, improved monitoring of service delivery will assist CIB in identifying weaknesses and assist regional services in getting appropriate and suitable supports in place.

A reduction in the number of individual, yet similar, CIS and MABS companies from 93 to 16 will better facilitate adherence to required governance standards, assist CIB in meeting its legislative responsibilities as direct funder and bring CIS and MABS organisations more into line with modern public service governance guidelines and requirements.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.