Submissions and Policy Recommendations 2018

Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System for Ireland

Publication date: December 2018

On average, Citizens Information Services receive over 1,000 queries per week in relation to state pension provisions. Based on this level of service engagement on pension concerns, CIB responded to the consultation on a Strawman proposal for an Automatic Enrolment pensions scheme. As part of the five year Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018-2023 the Government noted its intention to introduce an Automatic Enrolmentâ (AE) supplementary retirement savings system by 2022.

Auto Enrolment submissions .docx

National Digital Strategy

Publication date: December 2018

The CIB submission notes key areas that the Strategy should focus on: digital public services, inclusion and well-being, and trust, security and privacy. The submission suggested that one of the main challenges in the delivery of digital public services was the unintended consequence of reducing access to public services among low income groups (including older people, those with disabilities, and those with low levels of education, literacy or computer literacy), a trend which seems to be increasing amongst clients who attend CICs having encountered barriers in accessing online services. The submission noted that these groups are further impacted by issues of affordability (in terms of connectivity and equipment) as well as the uneven penetration of broadband across the country. While the submission agreed with the broad principle that services should be digital by default, it emphasised the need for an assisted or alternative route to services for those who cannot (or do not want to) access them digitally.

Digital Strategy submissions .docx

Barely Getting By - Citizens Information Board highlights citizens; concerns ahead of Budget 2019

Publication date:September 2018

Citizens Information Board funded services dealt with over one million queries and assisted over 700,000 callers to access a wide range of social, public and financial services in 2017. Drawing from those experiences, CIBs;Barely Getting By 2019; pre-budget submission makes recommendations in areas that include housing, debt and affordable credit, welfare supports and the provision of benefits and services. The submission evidences the key difficulties that impact on the lives of people who are using information, advocacy and money advice services; many of whom are ;barely getting by; and, for whom, supports delivered through public services are essential to their ability to cope with limited means in difficult circumstances. In 2017, for the first time, there were 100,000 housing queries to Citizens Information Services. The submission calls for greater rent regulation measures and increased supports for vulnerable households to access suitable accommodation.

Barely Getting By - Citizens Information Board highlights citizens 2019; concerns ahead of Budget 2019 .pdf .docx

State Pension reform proposals - Total Contributions Approach (September 2018)

Publication date: September 2018

This response to the consultation on proposals to introduce a Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to calculating state pension entitlement highlighted priorities for reform – notably, the removal of anomalies, the need for greater equality between men and women and the requirement that periods of low PRSI coverage should be acknowledged in the design of the scheme. CIB recognise the scale and significance of this reform and believes that the general approach to this policy initiative should be underpinned by commitments to provide clarity for all current and future pensioners. The CIB response also highlighted the need for a transition period between the old (yearly averaging) and new (TCA) contributory pensions systems.

StatePension Reform and TCA .docx

Mental Health Commission (MHC) Strategy ( August 2018)

Publication date: August 2018

The Citizens Information Board has a particular remit to provide advocacy for people with disabilities and in that context supports mainstream advocacy for people with disabilities, including people with mental health difficulties, through the CIS network and supports the National Advocacy Service (NAS) for people with disabilities This response to the Mental Health Commission consultation on its Strategy is based on NAS’s engagement with mental health service users through its representative advocacy work. Key factors that will impact the work of the MHC are the commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, the development of the Decision Support Service (DSS) to ensure that assisted decision-making may be fully implemented and the recent ratification by Ireland of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Other considerations for a strategic focus include promoting best practice in adult safeguarding policy, recognition of the diversity of mental health services users and a more joined up approach to mental health care planning.

MHCStrategic Plan Survey Response .docx

Moneylending and Consumer Protection - CIB Submission to Central Bank

Publication date: June 2018

In June 2018, CIB in conjunction with MABS prepared a submission in response to the Central Bank review of the Consumer Protection Code for licensed moneylenders. The review proposes new measures to enhance the protections that are in place for customers of licensed moneylenders. The submission stated that any review of the Code must be considered in the broader context of the alternatives available to low-income borrowers – noting that many MABS clients have few choices when considering credit options and are, thus, reliant on the moneylending sector. In this context, CIB highlighted the role of the Credit Union “It Makes Sense” loans, which CIB was instrumental in getting off the ground and the need to further expand the roll-out of these loans across the Credit Union Sector. An analysis of the repayment and arrears experience of MABS clients for this review indicated concerns around questionable lending, record-keeping and poor information provision amongst some moneylenders.

Moneylending and Consumer Protection - CIB Submission to Central Bank .docx

Advance Health Care Directives - Codes of Practice

Publication date: May 2018

CIB responded to the HSE Consultation on Codes of Practice for: Health and Social Care Professionals, Designated Healthcare Representatives and a Code on How to Make an Advance Healthcare Directive. The requirement for these Directives (and associated Codes of Practice) derives from the introduction into Irish law of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. The submissions welcomed the introduction into law of Advance Care Planning and commented on technical aspects of the three Codes of Practice – focusing on the use and definition of terms within the legislation, compliance and associated liability and the role of healthcare personnel in advance care planning. The need for recognition of the role of independent advocates in the Codes is noted, as health and social care practitioners will encounter advocates who will be assisting people with expressing their will and preference in cases where capacity issues arise.

Advance Health Care Directives .pdf .docx

Deprivation of Liberty: Safeguard Proposals

Publication date: March 2018

This submission is a response to the Department of Health consultation on draft legislation on deprivation of liberty safeguard proposals. Legislative clarity is required on the issue of deprivation of liberty in residential facilities for older people, those with a disability or mental health issues in order to meet obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The submission notes that in all cases, deprivation of liberty should occur in accordance with due process of law, and subject to regular review and lawful challenge.

Deprivation of Liberty: Safeguard Proposals.pdf .docx

Future of Policing in Ireland

Publication date: January 2018

CIB prepared a submission in January 2018 to the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland in response to a wide-ranging public consultation process. The insights provided were based on the experience that CIB delivery services have in reaching out to vulnerable and marginalised groups in Irish society - such as people on low incomes who are living in deprived communities, people with disabilities and mental health difficulties, Travellers, and new communities/ immigrants. Specific areas which CIB felt require additional attention from An Garda Síochána included dealing with illegal moneylenders, engaging marginalised and new communities and helping victims of abuse.

Future of Policing in Ireland.pdf .docx