Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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465. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the 2022 budget allocation for the Citizens Information Service; the number of employees employed by the Citizens Information Service broken down by grade; the number of Citizens Information Service offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27557/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Citizens Information Board (CIB), which operates 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.  There are 101 Citizens Information Centres around the country.

In addition, the Citizens Information Phone Service (CIPS) is a nationwide service available on 0818 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm.

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. 

An allocation of €17.34 million for the CIS has been provided as part of CIB’s overall funding for 2022 and this is expected to meet the costs of the service to the end of 2022.

My Department has been informed by CIB that the number of employees employed by the eight regional CIS companies, broken down by grade, is as follows: