Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

465. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to reports that the Ballymun citizens' information office is operating on reduced hours and has been often closed for long periods; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57980/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is a statutory agency tasked with providing information, advocacy, and advice to citizens. These important services are delivered by eight independent regional Citizen Information Service (CIS) companies, that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres, including Dublin North Citizens Information Services, which encompasses Ballymun.

It is important to note that, by law, the CIB is charged with independently overseeing the delivery of services under its remit. Similarly, each CIS is an independent limited company governed by a voluntary board of directors. These eight CIS companies make decisions independently on the delivery of services in their own regions.

Any operational changes or decisions are therefore a matter for CIB and the independent boards. As Minister, I cannot direct them regarding operational decisions.

I have been informed by CIB that services continue to be available to the people of Ballymun. The Ballymun CIC provides reception services and a drop-in clinic every Monday to Wednesday from 9.30am to 12.30pm. A phone service is available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm by contacting 0818 077330. Appointments can be arranged for those who may require them.

Additionally, the Citizens Information Phone Service (CIPS) is a nationwide service that can be reached on 0818 074000, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

466. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the contingency plans that are in place for citizens' information offices when staff are unavailable to work (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57981/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is a statutory agency tasked with providing information, advocacy, and advice to citizens. These important services are delivered by eight independent regional Citizen Information Service (CIS) companies, that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres.

It is important to note that, by law, the CIB is charged with independently overseeing the delivery of services under its remit. Similarly, each CIS is an independent limited company governed by a voluntary board of directors. These eight CIS companies make decisions independently on the delivery of services including office opening hours in their respective regions.

CIB have informed me that the Citizens Information Centres make every effort to provide services to the public when they have a reduced staff due to illness or other reasons. This includes the provision of limited appointments, digital services and phone services. For safety reasons, it is not always feasible to provide face to face appointments in smaller Citizens Information Centres that encounter reduced staffing. However, in these cases appointments can be facilitated in an alternative Citizens Information Centre that is in close proximity.