John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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24. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of plans to expand or decrease Citizens' Information services in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57744/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is a statutory body under the aegis of my Department, which funds and supports the South Leinster Citizens Information Service company which in turn has responsibility for the provision of information, advice and advocacy services in its geographic area, which encompasses Co. Wicklow.

I have been informed by CIB that the Citizens Information Centres in Arklow and Bray have re-opened their offices and are now available for drop-in and appointment services for the public across county Wicklow. Arklow Citizen Information Centre is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Bray Citizen Information Centre is open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.30am to 4.30pm. These services have been operating successfully throughout the pandemic, through phone, email and limited in-person services.

The Citizens Information Phone Service is a nationwide phone service that provides similar advice and information to that of Citizens Information Centres and again has operated successfully throughout the pandemic.

In addition, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) offices in Arklow and Bray are available and open for the public across county Wicklow, while the MABS National Helpline is also available for individuals across county Wicklow and nationwide.

CIB are committed to the continued delivery of Citizen Information Services and Money Advice Budgetary Services in county Wicklow.