John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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592. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 20 of 17 January 2018, her plans to ensure that the MABS national management forum continues to be recognised and funded during this restructuring process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5714/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Citizens Information Board (CIB) is a statutory body established by the Oireachtas. In addition to its own statutory responsibilities in relation to information and advocacy service provision, it has statutory responsibility for the countrywide networks of Citizens Information Services (CIS) and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS).

In February 2017, the Board of CIB decided to change its governance arrangements from ninety three individual service delivery companies to an eight region model. The new model will comprise sixteen new regional companies, with one CIS and one MABS company in each of the eight regions.

MABS National Management Forum (NMF) was established as a representative body for the 51 local MABS management companies. It represents the interests of the boards of local MABS companies, as employers. MABS NMF has not recognised the union of MABS staff and there are no agreed collective bargaining arrangements in place.

An annual funding allocation (of circa €14,000) was made available by CIB to MABS NMF to cover expenses such as travel and subsistence, incurred in its day to day activities. CIB notified MABS NMF on 18 January 2018 of its decision to cease direct funding. Instead, CIB intends to deal directly with individual MABS companies on restructuring and with the new MABS regional companies once they are established.

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. Information sessions have been organised for Chairpersons of local services, providing opportunities for Chairpersons to seek clarifications on the process of transfer to the new regional companies and wind up of the existing companies. Individual MABS companies engaging with the TUPE process are, and will continue to be, supported by CIB. On establishment, CIB will support the eight new MABS regional companies to promptly put in place an Employer/Union Forum.

Expenses, such as travel and subsistence, incurred by local MABS company representatives on the NMF, pending the establishment of the new regional management structure, can be claimed from their relevant local company.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.