Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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416. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the recommendation of the Government of Ireland’s Periodic Review of the Citizens Information Board (May 2022) (details supplied); when the post-implementation review will take place; who will be consulted in its course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4709/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body, under the aegis of my Department, that is responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money and budgeting advice) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services.

In line with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, my Department undertook a Periodic Critical Review (PCR) of CIB, which was completed in 2022.

As noted, the PCR recommended CIB to implement the C&AG recommended action of undertaking a post-implementation review of the restructuring process of the CIB funded companies, the Citizens Information Service and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, that was completed in 2018.

I have been informed that CIB subsequently commissioned an independent review, which was completed in 2023. The review found that the restructuring process has delivered a more consistent service offering nationally, as well as governance, communication and management efficiencies, and increased shared learning and collaboration among the CIS and MABS companies.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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417. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will confirm that the express rationale for restructuring the corporate governance of Citizens Information Services, a process that involved doing away with the County Tipperary Citizens Information Service, along with all the other countywide and areawide services, included “to better serve the citizen”, to improve “the delivery of consistent high quality services” and “to maximise effective use of resources”; if the estimated €4.55 million cost (new spend) on restructuring, as reported to the Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection in November 2017, proved accurate; how many of the restructured services operate with European Foundation For Quality Management accreditation, as the independent and impartial countywide and areawide services did prior to being 'restructured'; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4716/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body, under the aegis of my Department, that is responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money and budgeting advice) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services.

In 2017 following lengthy and extensive analysis, and a detailed consultation period with all stakeholders, the Board of CIB made the decision to restructure the governance arrangements of the then 42 CIS and 51 MABS companies into 16 regional companies.

The aim of this restructuring, which was completed in 2018, was to improve governance arrangements and ensure the delivery of consistent high quality services.

In relation to Tipperary, I wish to clarify that the restructuring process did not reduce the CIS service offering in the county.

Prior to the restructuring, five Citizens Information Centres were in operation throughout the county, and these centres continue to be in operation - in Clonmel, Nenagh, Roscrea, Thurles and Tipperary town respectively. In addition, CIB informs my Department that a weekly outreach clinic is in operation in Cashel.

In relation to costs, I am informed by CIB that in 2017, they commissioned a cost-benefit analysis that estimated that the proposed restructuring process would involve additional expenditure by CIB of €4.55 million, in then present values, over a period of eight years. Analysis of the accuracy of this estimate will be carried out once the full eight year period has concluded.

Regarding European Foundation for Quality Management accreditation, CIB has advised my Department that they are not aware that the CIS or MABS companies are currently in receipt of this accreditation. Such accreditation would be a matter for the companies and their respective Boards of Directors.

I trust the above clarifies your queries.