Edward Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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147. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there are plans to reintroduce Citizen Information offices in areas where they have been closed in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62213/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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.

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

The Citizens Information Service delivery companies currently provide information, advice and advocacy services through ninety Citizens Information Centres, twenty outreach centres and seven prison in-reach centres.

During Covid, volunteers were not active in the Citizens Information Services. Post-Covid, the total number of Citizens Information locations has reduced, particularly the number of outreach locations due to a reduction in the availability of volunteers. Citizens Information Services are actively seeking and supporting new volunteers to join their service and more information is available on www.citizensinformation.ie website.