Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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479. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there are plans for a company (details supplied) to reduce the level of in-person services it provides. [8173/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money and budgeting advice) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services. A national network of Citizens Information Centres, overseen by eight regional companies, provides information, advice and advocacy services to the public.

I have made enquiries with the Citizens Information Board (CIB) which funds and supports this network, including the Dublin South Citizens Information Service (DSCIS), which has responsibility for the provision of information, advice and advocacy services in its geographic area.

I am advised that the DSCIS service is currently being delivered in adherence to Government advice at the various restriction levels. Since March 2020, DSCIS have primarily delivered a service to the public through a “call-back service”, whereby members of the public phone their local office and leave their details, and then receive a call back from one of DSCIS's information officers within 24 – 48 hours.

With the support of safety consultants, DSCIS carried out risk assessments on all of their offices and invested significantly in personal protective equipment (PPE). From June 2020 onwards, DSCIS has provided in-person appointment based services to members of the public, where a query cannot be dealt with by phone or by email. I understand that there are no plans for DSCIS to reduce the current level of in-person services, which are provided on this appointment basis.

DSCIS recognises the value of in-person services, where a member of the public can walk in to their local office and receive information, advice and advocacy services in relation to their query. DSCIS envisage a return to in-person services as the primary manner in how they interact with their clients, in line with the lifting of restrictions over time.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.