Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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593. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a citizens information centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32081/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is a statutory independent body as set out in the Comhairle Act 2010 which operates under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection. CIB provides funding to 22 companies in order to deliver services on its behalf. This includes eight CIS companies that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres, including South Munster CIS, which encompasses Cobh. These eight companies are fully responsible for the delivery of services and all related operational matters including office opening hours in their respective regions.

My Department has been informed that the Cobh CIC office is currently open 1.5 days per week, Monday and half-day Wednesdays with an Information Officer in attendance. Phone and email queries from the Cobh area are dealt with Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm. Face to face appointments are offered as required in Cork city CIC and also in Youghal CIC. Appointments at the Cobh office can be facilitated for customers who may face challenges attending at Cork or Youghal.

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.

South Munster CIS is currently recruiting volunteer reception cover to facilitate drop in and appointments across their services and reviewing its service footprint to better support the public across the South Munster Region. The inclusion of volunteers for Cobh CIC will be dependent on the outcome of this process.

Each CIS company is responsible for all matters and decisions relating to its staff and operations, including how it delivers its services to citizens.