Eoin Hayes (Dublin Bay South, Social Democrats)
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303. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the reduction in citizens information centres across Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22689/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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As you will be aware, the Citizens Information Board (CIB), under the aegis of this Department, funds and supports eight Citizens Information Service (CIS) companies, to provide important information, advice and advocacy services to the public nationwide.

As each CIS is an independent limited company overseen by a voluntary Board of Directors, each CIS company makes decisions independently on the delivery of services in their own regions.

As well as employees, the eight CIS companies work with volunteers and employment scheme workers to support service delivery.

The CIS companies currently provide services through a national network of 90 Citizens Information Centres, 26 outreach centres and seven prison in-reach centres.

While the number of Citizens Information Centres has remained relatively static in recent years, the number of CIS outreach locations has reduced.

This is in large part due to a reduction in volunteers since the pandemic, as the operation of local outreach centres often relies on volunteer support. While volunteer numbers have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, CIB and the CIS companies are actively seeking to recruit volunteers, including through a dedicated page on citizensinformation.ie and localised media campaigns, the most recent of which took place in 2024, which my Department supported.

Independent information and advice can also be accessed through the CIB funded Citizens Information Phone Service, while citizensinformation.ie also provides comprehensive information on a wide range of supports and entitlements.