Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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1127. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if sufficient funding was allocated by her Department to the national Citizens Information Board to allow for the previously agreed reopening and continued service of the Wicklow Town Citizens Information Centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30012/22]

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 receives an annual funding allocation from the Department of Social Protection and it, in turn, 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 in Wicklow town are a matter for the Board of the South Leinster CIS.  CIB provided South Leinster CIS with an operational grant of €1,957,191 for 2022, which is in line with previous allocations.

In March 2020, the Board of South Leinster CIS made the decision to close the Wicklow CIC office as part of their COVID 19 response.  The Information Officer who had been based in Wicklow CIC has supported the citizens of Wicklow from Bray CIC since then.  In December 2021, the South Leinster CIS Regional Manager on behalf of the Board informed CIB that they had made the decision to discontinue services in their Wicklow town office due to health and safety concerns, on foot of an internal assessment it carried out.

An alternative office space in the centre of Wicklow town was considered in 2021.  However, this premises would require substantial financial investment before it could be utilised.  Planning permission for the change of use of these premises was granted in late 2021 and consequently had not been factored into CIB’s 2022 budget allocation estimates process.  

Within the CIB allocation of funding to the various regional CIS companies, funding may be available for projects that are necessary for the effective delivery of service.  Any requests for such funding from regional CIS companies would be assessed in the context of CIB’s annual budget allocation and other competing priorities, and also within the normal efficiency and value for money obligations that apply to public funding.

The Board of South Leinster CIS have confirmed to the CIB that, at their next Board meeting, they will discuss the possible provision of an outreach citizens information service in Wicklow Town, for which a potential location in the town has been found.  The Board will then revert to CIB with their decision.

Citizens Information Services continue to be available for local residents in the Arklow and Bray offices.  Arklow CIC is open for drop in callers on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Appointments are also available.  Callers can also ring the service Monday to Friday with their queries from 9am to 5pm. Bray CIC is open for drop in callers on Mondays and Thursdays from 9.30am to 4.30pm.  Callers can ring the service Monday to Friday with their queries from 9am to 5pm.  Appointments are also available.