Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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481. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to any changes that have occurred to the operational processes of Citizens Information services across the State; if she will advise if these services will continue to utilise volunteer staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26395/22]

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. Decisions regarding the delivery of services are therefore entirely a matter for the respective Boards of these eight CIS companies.

Volunteers have not provided an information provision role in Citizens Information Services for over two years. The updates and changes to information, advice and advocacy that have taken place during the past two years have been unprecedented.

My Department therefore understands that CIB and the CIS have set up a Volunteer Strategy Working Group, which is currently working on proposals regarding the future role of volunteers in the Citizens Information Services. Recommendations from this group will inform CIB and CIS of the most suitable way to re-engage volunteers to support the services and deliver information, advice, and advocacy to the public.

The future role of volunteers is an operational matter for the respective CIS companies and not a matter for Ministerial decision.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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482. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide oversight of the new structures of the Citizens Information Board; the measures that are in place to ensure that these services remain available to the public in their existing walk-in community-based form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26396/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is a statutory body with an information, advice and advocacy role in relation to a wide range of public and social services. CIB lies under the aegis of my Department, which provides annual Exchequer funding to CIB to deliver on its statutory functions.

The CIB provides funding to eight Citizens Information Services companies that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres (CIC), which in turn provide information, advice and advocacy services in their respective geographic areas. Each CIS is a limited company overseen by a regional manager and board of directors. Each company is entirely responsible for all matters and decisions relating to its staff and operations.

Both the 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. Many clients continue to access information through phone, email via www.citizensinformation.ie and across social media platforms.