Meeting will outline the changes to MABS
A meeting in Carrick- on- Shannon will outline how the Citizens Information Service and Money Advice and Budgeting Service are going to be restructured.
MABS and CIS has offices in Sligo while there are also outreach services operated by CIS in Ballymote and Tubbercurry.
Staff have already voiced concern about how the services will be affected.
The Citizens Information Board has statutory responsibility for both bodies.
In a statement the board said that in line with best governance practice and for improved services to citizens, MABS and CIS will revise operational structures at board level by moving from the current 93 boards model to a 16 board structure, comprising eight CIS Boards and eight MABS Boards.
The citizen services provided by CIS and MABS services locally will continue to be available to the general public via online, face- to- face and telephone services.
The statement said that local employment would remain unaffected under the new model, and all service locations will remain fully operational.
Angela Black, CEO, Citizens Information Board said: “I look forward to leading the CIS and MABS network as a twenty- first century service, fostering its excellent reputation as one of the most successful State- funded citizen services available to the people of Ireland.”
The consultations, will examine key aspects of implementing the new sixteen board model. All of the consultation events will feature discussions chaired by an independent facilitator, with Angela Black, CEO, CIB in attendance as well as invited management representatives from local MABS and CIS services, their staff, volunteers and boards.
The event for the Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo region will take place at the Bush Hotel in Carrick- on- Shannon on May 26th.
The statement said that since MABS was established 24 years ago and the Citizens Information centres first opened their doors in 1975, the way in which people access information, do business, and communicate with each other has changed considerably.
“The new operational model at MABS and CIS will reflect this progress by providing a more responsive, modern, accessible service.
“The consultation into how to adapt the MABS and CIS involved extensive research including a review of the organisational structures and a feasibility study regarding the consolidation of both services.
“The decision to reorganise and modernise the service took place in November 2014.
“The Citizens Information board acknowledges the work and efforts of members of local boards who have worked to progress CIS and MABS services to what they are today.
“The Citizens Information Board encourages the voluntary Board members of local services to continue their involvement by applying to serve on one of the new sixteen Boards to be established or by serving on one of the new Local Advisory Committees that will be set up under the revised structure.
“The reorganisation will ensure good governance resulting primarily in an improved use of the most important resource of CIS and MABS - its people.
“The reduction in the current costs associated with maintaining 93 individual boards across the country will be redirected into making MABS and CIS capable of delivering more services to a greater number of citizens,” the statement concluded.