The Citizens Information Board undertakes social research on topics that are based on the feedback we receive, and are of particular concern to the users of social benefits and services in Ireland. The Citizens Information Board has also given special attention to the study of the information process in modern society and suggested ways forward in improving the availability and usefulness of citizens information.
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Volunteering in Citizens Information Services (2010)
Volunteering in Citizens Information Services (2010)
Volunteering in Citizens Information Services - Executive Summary (2010) -
Getting There: Transport and Access to Social Services (2010)
A new report Getting There: Transport and Access to
Social Services published by the Citizens Information
Board (CIB) highlights the range of issues experienced
by the public in relation to travel, transport and
access, particularly in rural areas.Getting There: Transport and Access to Social Services (2010)
Getting There: Transport and Access to Social Services - Executive Summary (2010) -
Citizens Information Services Survey 2008
This Survey is a snapshot of activity in Citizens
Information Services (CISs) in 2008 and provides a
range of data with regard to the people who use CISs,
the types of queries presented and the ways in which
these queries are processed. The Survey was conducted
by Solution Enable on behalf of the Citizens
Information Board and is one of a number of surveys
carried out periodically. CIS's deal with over 600,000
callers annually.5,811 clients were surveyed across 10 participating CIS's for the survey. 23% of clients surveyed were from countries other than Ireland. Although income support issues are predominant, significant numbers of queries relate to other public services, to employment rights, to family matters and to consumer and legal issues. (6%) of the clients surveyed had a disability.
There was a very high degree of satisfaction with the CISs, with almost all survey respondents stating that they were happy with the service they received. 71% of client contacts were face to face and 29% by telephone. The 2008 Survey shows an overall shift in duration of calls or visits towards longer contact times when compared with previous surveys. The provision of information is the most common aspect of the Service but there are also significant advice and advocacy dimensions to the role of CISs.
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Report on Housing Needs of People with Disabilities (2007)
A joint study 'The Right Living Space' published by the
Citizens Information Board (CIB) and the Disability
Federation of Ireland (DFI) reports on the difficulty
experienced and the barriers faced by people with
physical, sensory, intellectual and mental health
disabilities (and their organisations) in securing
appropriate housing.By 'telling it like it is' the study highlights the need to improve policies for housing and support if people with disabilities are to have appropriate accommodation. As noted in the Report suitable housing is something that is taken for granted by most Irish citizens. According to the 2006 Census, almost one in ten people in Ireland have a disability.
Summary of Report on Housing Needs of People with Disabilities 2007 (pdf)
Report on Housing Needs of People with Disabilities 2007 (pdf)
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Employment Rights from Information to Redress: A Social Policy Report (2006)
This report
highlights issues of concern to users of Citizens
Information Services, including unfair dismissal,
minimum wage, migrant and part-time workers, etc. The
cases documented in the report point to a significant
gap between legal protection and the ability of
employees to enforce their statutory rights.Employment Rights Policy Report (pdf)
Summary of the Comhairle Employment Rights Policy Report (pdf)
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Employment Rights: A Social Policy Report (2000)
Evidence from
Citizen Information Centres (CICs) suggests that
significant problems are still experienced by certain
employees. Most vulnerable, are part-time and casual
workers and non-trade union members.The Report identifies and outlines case studies from CICs where there are either breaches of regulations or where existing provisions are unsatisfactory. The policy issues arising out of these instances are identified and recommendations are set out accordingly.
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Citizens' Information Services Survey Report (2005)
In 2005 there were
42 independent Citizens' Information Services (CIS)
providing services in a total of 242 locations
throughout the country. These services are funded and
supported by the Citizens Information Board and deal
with some 700,000 queries annually.The Citizens Information Services (CIS) survey takes place every 2 years and provides accurate and up-to-date information on clients, query types and the processes used in dealing with these queries. Some commentary on the findings is also included.
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Citizens Information Centres Survey Report 2003 (Nua Research Services)
This Report
presents the principal findings from a survey which was
conducted in 10 Citizens' Information Centres (CICs)
during a four week period in September/October
2003. -
Supporting Grandparents caring for their grandchildren (2005)
This report
focuses on State support for grandparents where they
are caring for their grandchildren full time. The
report also looks at access to/custody of grandchildren
when parents become separated or divorced.The report is based on feedback from the network of Citizens Information Services and discussions with other service providers who deal with grandparents caring for their grandchildren.
Supporting Grandparents Caring for their Grandchildren (pdf)
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Scheme of Community Support for Older People (2005)
This
Scheme was introduced in the mid 1990's to improve the
security and social support of vulnerable older people
in the community. The report examines to what extent
the Scheme actually stimulated broader community
support for older people. Feedback from the network of
Citizen Information Services highlights that often, the
service fell short or was inappropriate to the
situation.This report reviews the existing scheme, suggests changes to the application procedures, and in particular recommends the Scheme should be part of a comprehensive and integrated package of community supports for older people.
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Family Matters Ten Years On - A Social Policy Report (2005)
This report marks the
10th Anniversary of the UN Year of the Family 1994. The
Report describes the trends which influenced families
during the intervening decade, the improvements in
support for families in Ireland and the ongoing
shortcomings in family policies. -
The Medical Card: Affording Health on Low Income-A Social Policy Report (2004)
This publication
examines issues around medical card coverage in Ireland
based on feedback from CICs. The rpoert makes a number
of recommendations, including (among other items)
clarifying the legal entitlement to medical cards,
providing for a statutory appeals mechanism and
introducing an income disregard for people with
disabilities. -
Rent Supplement: A Social Policy Report (jointly with Threshold) (2002)
Jointly co-written
with Threshold, this report highlights various limits
and inequalities inherent in the current operation of
the Rent Supplement scheme. The Supplementary Welfare
Allowance Rent Supplement scheme is an essential social
housing mechanism operating as a means through which
low income households can meet their accommodation
needs within the private rented sector.The ability of some social groups to access secure, affordable accommodation can be compromised if they are forced to depend on Rent Supplement in the long term.
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Supporting Carers: A Social Policy Report (2002)
Ireland continues
to rely heavily on home-based care provided by family
members. This report highlights the demographic
pressures that (while not yet urgent), are likely to
lead to both an increase in the need for care services
and a decrease in the supply of those services by
family carers.New and expanded support services are needed in order to guarantee adequate care services and improve the quality of life of family carers.
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CICs and Social Policy Issues (to DSFA and Health Boards) (2001)
This
Report covers the period July-December 2000 and is
based on an analysis of social policy records returned
to the Citizens Information Board by Citizens
Information Centres (CICs). The Report is also based on
queries to information staff which had a social policy
dimension. -
The Information Process in Citizen Information Centres (2001)
The aim of
the study was to provide additional baseline
information on the actual information exchange process
in CICs, including the nature and extent of advice,
referral, advocacy and social policy work and the
accuracy and appropriateness of the information
provided.The Information Process in Citizen Information Centres (pdf)
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Pathways to Information: Developing an Integrated Approach at Local Level (2000)
The Report is
based on a study of the various ways in which citizens
seek and acquire information and social services. The
study identifies and analyses the experience and
perspectives of a sample of users.This research follows on from a study carried out for the National Social Service Board (NSSB) in 1998 which identified a range of issues which affect citizens' access to information and social services.
Pathways to Information: Developing an Integrated Approach at Local Level (pdf)
