Fears for MABS and information offices
THREE local offices in Wicklow are under threat because of the proposed restructuring of the MABS and Citizens Information Services offices across the country.
Fianna Fail TD for Wicklow Pat Casey has called on the Minister for Social Protection to use his powers under the Citizens Information Act to postpone the proposed restructuring.
The planned reforms would see the 51 MABS offices and 42 Citizens Information Services (CIS) offices reduced to just eight regional offices each. Fianna Fáil used its Private Members time in the Dáil last week to highlight the issue.
Deputy Casey said: ‘ The decision to undertake this restructuring, which will remove essential advice services from communities across the country, including here in Wicklow, has been taken without any cost benefit analysis. It also fails to take into consideration the concerns expressed by workers, service users and volunteers, who are fearful of the impact that the rationalisation of these services will have on local communities.
‘ There are currently two MABS offices in Arklow and Bray with another CIS centre in Wicklow Town. While none of the offices will close, there are serious concerns about changes to governance, accountability and value for money.
‘ The services and advice provided to people by MABS and CIS are deeply embedded in local communities. They provide essential services and advice on managing debt, mortgage arrears and difficulties with moneylenders. People recognise and trust this advice and in many instances, MABS has been key in helping people out of debt and equipping them with the skills and tools to effectively manage their budgets.
‘Fianna Fáil recognises the need for greater efficiency within the system, and we are not opposed to change and reform. However, we are troubled by the concerns that have been voiced regarding the potential implications of the restructuring of MABS and CIS from local companies into a regional model. Many of those who work and volunteer in MABS and CIS are worried that the planned restructuring will disenfranchise volunteers and that these changes have been undertaken without any meaningful dialogue.
‘ The Social Protection Minister must immediately utilise the power he has under the Citizens Information Act of 2007 to issue a directive to halt this proposed regionalisation. It is essential that space is given to heed the concerns of those who have voiced their strong reservations to the restructuring process. It is imperative that all stakeholders involved are consulted and allowed to engage in meaningful, constructive dialogue to secure the best possible outcome for everyone involved.’
Deputy John Brady has also criticised the decision to restructure the services and has urged the Government not to make ‘unnecessary changes’.
He described the manner in which the decision was made as ‘underhand’ and ‘without proper consultation with stakeholders’, which he added was ‘unacceptable’.
‘It is ridiculous that neither MABS nor the Citizens Information Service have been given any explanation as to the rationale for the planned re-structuring,’ said Deputy Brady.
He said he had asked the Committee on Social Protection to produce a report on the plans – a report that is due next week – and accused Fianna Fáil of ‘nothing short of political opportunism’ in bringing their private members bill last Tuesday.
In response, Deputy Brady, in consultation with MABS, brought forward an amendment rejecting the need for a cost-benefit analysis ‘given the voluntary nature of the services’ and asked the Minister to ensure the existing model of independent management coming the from the community and voluntary sector continuing.
‘We believe that if it is not broke, don’t fix it,’ said Deputy Brady.
The Society of St Vincent de Paul has said that any proposed restructuring of MABS must not result in any loss of service to its clients.
‘Accessibility to MABS services locally must be safeguarded,’ said Kieran Stafford, SVP National Vice-President.
The SVP said that the structural changes under discussion require careful implementation and must honour the role of the volunteers. I’M a loser. Now don’t feel sorry for me. It’s alright. I’ve been a loser all my life. You get used to it. And in case you’re wondering, I don’t suffer from low self esteem. When I say I’m a loser, I mean in terms of actual physical victories, be them sporting or otherwise.
According to family folklore, the only thing I’m capable of winning is an argument and that’s because I will talk my opponent to the point of them just giving up in a bid to shut me up. I must confess, I love having the last word and I make no apologies. So there!
Anyway back to my Loser status. I was always rubbish at sport. In school I was the last person to be picked for any sports team. And if there was an odd number the PE teacher would add me on as an extra person and the team would still say, ‘Ah Miss, do we have to have Justine?’
When we played camogie, if the ball came near me I screamed and ran in the opposite direction. In basketball, I’d just stand there avoiding eye contact so no one would expect me to do anything and with athletics I’d get a stitch after running ten seconds.
My Loser status isn’t just confined to sports. With board games I always blurt out the answer. I get so excited, the first thing that comes into my head comes out and with cards, I may as well just give you my hand to look at, I’m so transparent.
It doesn’t really bother me. The good thing about being a Loser is that no one has any expectations of you. It does bother my poor husband though, who thinks for some inexplicable reason that I’m not fulfilling my potential in many aspects of my life!
So he’s back on the ‘Let’s Make Justine A Winner’ campaign again. He signed me up for a tennis tournament without my knowledge. And he played the emotional blackmail card by informing me it was for a children’s charity. How could I say no?
I played the first match. I lost 14-1. Himself was mortified and tried to pretend he didn’t know me. I was actually delighted I managed to win one game. I escaped the second and third matches as I was sick. Genuinely on my last legs sort of sick because trust me, Himself wouldn’t have left me away with it otherwise.
My fourth match came round. Off I trotted in my too-tight TK Maxx sporty pants that left nothing to the imagination preparing for another round of defeat. By the fifth game they were winning well, the sweat was pouring off me in bucketfuls and my partner was displaying the patience of a saint.
‘Come on now,’ she said, ‘We can do this. You can do this Justine!’ Unbelievably we won the next game. I did a little victory dance. She told me that wasn’t correct etiquette. I danced a little more.
And guess what? We won! We bloody won! By the skin of our teeth, to be fair. But we won! My very first win. Like EVER!
I could get used to this!