Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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556. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has approved the allocation of funds voted by Dáil Éireann to the Citizens Information Board to be disbursed in furtherance of a policy (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17661/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In 2018 the Citizens Information Board (CIB) has been allocated €57.4 million from Exchequer funds to fund its activities and that of its service delivery partners, including the countrywide network of Citizens Information Services (CISs) and the Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS). Provision has been made in the 2018 allocation for the costs involved in the restructuring process referred to by the Deputy.

The executive of CIB is in the process of implementing the decision of the Board to reorganise the governance arrangements of the 93 individual local company boards, comprising 42 CIS and 51 MABS companies, to a new regionally based 16 company model comprising 8 CIS and 8 MABS companies.

The first phase of this process has seen the establishment of 6 new companies - 3 CIS and 3 MABS, in North Leinster (comprising Longford, Louth, Meath, Westmeath and Kildare), South Munster (Cork and Kerry) and Dublin South.

All staff, assets and liabilities of the 38 local companies involved in this phase have transferred to the 6 new companies. There has been no change to service delivery points, no reduction in staffing, nor has there been any diminution of services for clients.

The remaining 55 companies will transfer into the 5 new CIS and 5 new MABS companies as they are established and it is envisaged that the next phase of transfer will be completed before the end of 2018.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.