Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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457. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will advise on the process of reopening Citizens Information Service branches; the number of branches that are now available for in-person appointments or walk-in services by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25756/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Citizens Information Board (CIB) under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection, is the statutory body with responsibility for the Citizens Information service (CIS). CIB provides funding to eight CIS companies that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres, which in turn has responsibility for the provision of information, advice and advocacy services in its geographic area.

Each CIS is a limited company overseen by a regional manager and board of directors. Each company is responsible for all matters and decisions relating to its staff and operations.

The decision to close or open any office within the CIS network is a matter for the relevant CIS Board as they are responsible for their region’s service delivery.

Many clients continue to access information through phone, email via www.citizensinformation.ie and across social media platforms. CIB and the CIS Boards are committed to the continued ongoing delivery of high-quality services nationally and will continue to provide essential information, advice and advocacy to the citizens of Ireland in the most effective manner possible.

Up to date opening times and details of each CIC is available on www.citizensinformation.ie (Find a Citizens Information Centre). Additionally, the Citizens Information Phone Service (CIPS) is a nationwide service that can be reached on 0818 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm.

The following table lists the eight regional CIS company areas broken down by county, that are available for in-person appointments or walk-in services:

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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458. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way that funding allocations were provided to Citizens Advice Services by the Citizens Information Board in 2021 and to date in 2022, respectively in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25757/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body with responsibility for the Citizens Information Service (CIS). CIB provides funding to eight CIS companies that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres. Each CIS is a limited company overseen by a board of directors and makes decisions independently on the delivery of services in their regions.

The following is a breakdown of the funding allocated in 2021 to the CISs and the 2022 allocation: