Dublin South Citizens Information Service - Annual Report 2022 by dublinsouthcis

Dublin South

Citizens Information Service Providing information, advice and advocacy support to the Dublin South community

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

Funded and supported by the Citizens Information Board

Dublin South

Citizens Information Service Providing information, advice and advocacy support to the Dublin South community

Delivering Information, Advice and Advocacy Services for the Dublin South Community

Dublin South West Clondalkin | Ballyfermot | Lucan

Dublin South 12 & 24 Tallaght | Crumlin

Dublin South Central Liberties

Dublin South DLR Dun Laoghaire | Dundrum | Stillorgan

Funded and supported by the Citizens Information Board

CO N T E N T S Company information...............................................................................................................................3 Chairperson’s statement.........................................................................................................................4 Our vision, mission and values..........................................................................................................7 Our achievements.........................................................................................................................................9

Information, advice and assistance............................................................................9

Advocacy....................................................................................................................................11 Governance......................................................................................................................................................20 Financial statements for the year ended 31/12/2022......................................... 20 Acknowledgements..................................................................................................................................27

CO M PA NY I N F O R M AT I O N Company Registration No. 621213 Charities Regulator No. 20204836 CHY1 No. 22876 Registered Office Hainault house, belgard square south, tallaght, dublin 24, d24 rfv0. Directors Kathleen cass | paul monks | keith o’malley (resigned 17/05/2022) Donough o’reilly | dudley o’donnell | niamh o’doherty marjo moonen Philip byrne (appointed 17/05/2022) | jerry crowley (appointed 17/05/2022) Tricia nolan (appointed 10/10/2022) Company Secretary Niamh o'doherty Auditors Whelan dowling & associates Chartered accountants & statutory audit firm Block 1, unit 1 & 4, Northwood court, Santry, dublin 9. Bankers Aib, 52 baggot street, dublin 4 Regional Manager Simon monds

C H A I R PE R S ON’S STATEMENT INTRODUCTION The world around us felt like it was one of significant change in 2022, with a rotating Taoiseach, the housing and homeless crisis, a World Cup in winter, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the slow return to what we considered normal life, as the pandemic had a lesser impact on our day-to-day lives in terms of restrictions and our ability to meet people, travel and enjoy life.

As we reflect on 2022, it becomes clear that one constant for Dublin South CIS was change. The challenges that we faced as we moved towards a work environment more reflective of the world before the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the significant impact that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had in terms of the demand and need for our services, ensured that we continually made adaptations and innovations to continue providing vital services to those in need. Dublin South CIS remained steadfast in its commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of those who need and use its service.

I am proud of our staff, a team of employees, volunteers, scheme workers and board members, and what they have managed to achieve in 2022. Without the support of volunteers, we would not have been able to keep some of our centres running. Following the independent review of volunteering in across the network of Citizens Information Services, funded by the Citizens Information Board, Dublin South CIS is looking forward to building the service through the support of volunteers to offer information and advice. I am proud to share the 2022 annual report of Dublin South CIS, which highlights our resilience, resourcefulness, and unwavering dedication to our mission, vision and values.

SERVICE DELIVERY Dublin South CIS returned to our pre-pandemic ways of working, and no more so than resuming inperson services and reception areas busy and humming with life as people waited to see an information officer to discuss an issue or get advice and assistance. We have tried to take and retain the information acquired from changing the model of service delivery because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and sometimes the most important learning is the reinforcement of something that you already knew but whose value you perhaps overlooked. This is certainly true of our drop-in services and how important they are in terms of providing open access to the service, particularly to those who are most vulnerable.

While drop-in was the primary way of engaging with the service pre-COVID-19, we have learnt that there is a significant demand from people to engage with the service at times and through mediums that suit them. Thus, we have retained the option for people to call the service and receive a call-back from an information officer.

While reviewing the figures at the end of 2022, it was very encouraging to see a significant return to people using face-to-face service, with almost half of the total callers being assisted through our drop-in and appointments services. This resulted in more people being able to call on our service line for information, advice and advocacy, as the number of people requesting our help in 2022 increased by 12% to just over 36,000. The service also saw a 7% increase in the number of complex queries (as opposed to queries that the information officer deems as simple), now accounting for 75% of all queries. This again highlights the value in the service that we provide, as we can see the level of complexity and difficulty that people are facing when they come to us for assistance. People seek assistance from our excellent staff as they cannot resolve their issues themselves, particularly when those issues are complicated.

RATHMINES CITIZENS INFORMATION CENTRE The most significant, impactful, and challenging aspect of 2022 was the sale of the Rathmines office and the subsequent closure of the Rathmines service. While the property had been on the market for a period, The Board of Dublin South CIS was of the view was that we had rights to use the premises due to our length of tenure there. Unfortunately, and despite our best endeavours, we received notice to vacate the office space. Adversity often brings out the best in people, and the staff working in our Rathmines and the Liberties offices showed how a group of committed people can continue delivering an excellent service to the public in the most difficult of circumstances.

I would like to thank Maeve Wallace, Aurelia Bodrug and Stewart Reddin, who had been based in the Rathmines office until May 2022 and have moved between the Liberties office and the Carmelite outreach since then. And thanks to Nuala Crowe Taft, Anita Ennis, Anne Doyle and Lorna Crowther for how they rolled with the changes as they accommodated their colleagues.

We had hoped to end the year 2022 with a new office that would bring all the Dublin south central team together under one roof and could serve all of Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8. However, funding restrictions meant

that this could not be carried out in 2022. Securing approval for developing new premises for this team is one of the key priorities of the Board for 2023 and will be an integral part of our budget proposal for 2024.

INFORMATION HUB FOR UKRAINIANS In March 2022, the Department of Social Protection (DSP) set up a one-stop shop in what was previously the Intreo office on Cork Street, Dublin 8. This service was for Ukrainians who had fled the Russian invasion and involved staff on site from the DSP (social welfare and community welfare supports) and Department of Justice (immigration), interpreters, and staff from Citizens Information in Dublin South and North Dublin.

Thank you to the entire staff who put their hand up and volunteered to help with such an important service, particularly in the chaos at the start of the service when we were still figuring out what was happening, what supports were available, and what assistance we could provide.

Thanks to all the staff listed below and special thanks to Aurelia Bodrug who is bilingual and was happy to translate, which usually meant a long queue of people waiting to speak to her! Cathy White

Jane Izati Amako

Lorna Crowther

Stewart Reddin

Susan O’Byrne

Anne Doyle

Helena Guilfoyle

Brenda Forde

Teresa Kelly

Karl Gill

Winnie Ezeh

ANNUAL TEAM DAY – 30 SEPTEMBER 2022 It was wonderful to have an opportunity to spend a day together, hearing from our staff, volunteers and Board members and discussing the challenges and opportunities for Dublin South CIS. Jim Winters (Advocacy Support Worker and MC for the day) hosted an interview of Stewart Reddin (Senior Information Office), which provided insights into what motivates and drives Stewart, his sense of social justice and his commitment to advocating for client’s rights and entitlements. Thanks to Ingrid Kaar, Information Officer, Cathy White, Senior Information Officer, and Teresa Kelly, Information Officer, for presenting excellent case studies. They provided everyone in the room, particularly the board members, a reminder of why what we do matters so much and for whom.

However, the most enjoyable aspect of the day was the congregation, as COVID-19 restrictions were no longer in place. We were able to bring everyone together for the first time since the company started in 2018, and the enthusiasm and engagement in the room was a real reminder of how much we had missed this and how valuable days like this were.

GOVERNANCE AND COMPLIANCE A significant milestone for the organisation was the declaration of full compliance with the Charity Regulatory Authority Governance Code in 2022, for the year 2021. The governance and compliance committee built on the extensive work that they had completed in 2021 by drafting policies for the organisation, and they were subsequently signed off by the Board and implemented by the managers, including the following:

•

Data protection policy and retention schedule

•

Complaints policy

•

Updated terms of reference for all board committees, including establishment of a nominations committee

•

Updated register of beneficial ownership for board members

Finally, for me, 2022 was the last year as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Dublin South CIS. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as chairperson of an organisation that provides such a valuable and necessary service to the public, particularly to the most vulnerable people in our community. It has been very rewarding seeing the organisation grow and develop, following the regionalisation in 2018, and I’m very proud of our focus on quality in all aspects of the work that we do.

Paul Monks, Chairperson Dublin South Citizens Information Service

O U R VISION, MISS I ON AND VALUES OUR VISION Dublin South is a region where everyone, particularly the most vulnerable, is adequately equipped, supported, and assisted with information, advice, and advocacy so that they can realise and exercise their rights and entitlements.

OUR MISSION Dublin South Citizens Information Service provides everyone access to excellent, accurate, high-quality independent information, advice and advocacy services; we are a learning organisation that builds the capacity of the staff and the Board to adapt and change in response to the needs of people in the region.

OUR CONSTITUTION The main object for which Dublin South CIS was established is to advance education and benefit the community within the region, through the provision of an information, advice and advocacy service that is free and confidential and informs, educates and empowers all individuals, without discrimination, by ensuring they have access to accurate, comprehensive and clear information on their civil and social rights, entitlements, and civic duties and on the social services that exist in the region.

Our values

Funded and supported by the Citizens Information Board

O U R ACH IE VEMENTS INFORMATION, ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE In 2021, as we worked through the COVID-19 pandemic and the public had significant restrictions in physically accessing our offices, for every four people who contacted Dublin South CIS by telephone, there was one person who went to an office. In 2022, as drop-in services re-opened, there was a 50/50 split between those who contacted us by telephone and those who called into one of our offices.

Over 36,000 people used the services of Dublin South CIS in 2022, accounting for a 12% increase compared with 2021. The total number of queries in 2022 was over 56,000, of which 75% were classified as complex by information officers as complex.

Nearly half of all queries concerned social welfare. Other popular categories including housing, health, emigration or immigration, money and tax, and employment accounted for 37% of the total queries, and the remaining 10 query categories accounted for the remaining 16%.

Our information officers conducted over 4,300 benefit calculations (e.g., means test for pension) for members of the public. This represented a 37% increase compared with 2021. Information officers supported people to complete over 4,400 application forms for various services and payments in 2022.

TABLE 1

NO. OF QUERIES

CATEGORY

PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL QUERIES

26,304

Social Welfare

47%

7,100

Housing

13%

4,509

Health

3,627

Moving Country

2,725

Money and Tax

2,674

Employment

1,789

Local

1,692

Travel and Recreation

1,554

Justice

1,466

Family

977

Consumer Affairs

883

Education and Training

401

Death and Bereavement

328

Government in Ireland

294

COVID-19

Environment

4,300 We did benefit calculations for 4,300 people

4,400

26,304

We assisted people in completing 4,400 application forms

A total of 26,304 queries were related to social welfare payments

56,000

402

We received 56,000 queries from members of the public about their rights & entitlements

Dublin South CIS worked on 402 long-term advocacy cases in 2022

ADVOCACY

Dublin South CIS provides a representative advocacy service to members of the public when information, advice and assistance are not sufficient to resolve their issues. A typical example of a long-term advocacy case would be an appeal against the Department of Social Protection’s decision to withhold payment to an individual.

When a person seeks Dublin South CIS’s advocacy service, they provide written consent that allows the organisation to process their personal data and act on their behalf.

A Dublin South CIS information officer is then tasked with the case, and they will record all actions on our encrypted case management system. The information officer will obtain the client’s case file from the Department and support the client in obtaining additional documentation in support of a claim, e.g. additional medical evidence. The information officer will typically prepare a written submission and send it to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. Further, the information officer will accompany the appellant to an oral hearing, if required.

In 2022, Dublin South CIS worked on 402 long-term advocacy cases, of which 65% concerned a social welfare decision.

MONETARY OUTCOMES FOR CLIENTS Monetary outcomes are recorded for long-term advocacy clients. With the support of Dublin South CIS, €159,000 in social welfare arrears was secured for claimants. Social welfare overpayments to the value of €49,815 were cancelled. The total monetary outcomes for long-term advocacy clients in 2022 was €336,145. TABLE 2

TYPE

AMOUNT

Payments of social welfare arrears

€159,309

Cancellation of social welfare overpayments

€49,815 Sub-total

€209, 124

Employment and equality awards and settlements

€68,436

Other awards

€58,585 Total

€336, 145

CASE STUDIES

C AS E ST UDIES These case studies represent the level and quality of the advocacy that our staff provide to the public. The case studies are just a snapshot into the cases that the service worked on in 2022, and they represent the wide variety of advocacy cases that every office deals with on a daily and weekly basis. Our advocacy work relies on every member in the team, and a special thanks therefore goes to not just those who contributed these case studies to this report but also the wider regional team for contributing to advocacy work in 2022.

Jobseeker’s Allowance reinstated after legislative reasoning was successfully challenged by claimant. Background The client presented to the CIS in October 2021. She had received a letter from the Department of Social Protection informing that her Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) payment was suspended and under review. The Department subsequently informed her that the payment was stopped on the grounds that she had come to Ireland as a ‘permitted family member’ to join another EU citizen and was not entitled to receive social assistance under the Social Welfare Acts. The legislative reasoning provided in the decision letter referred to Regulation 17(2)(a) of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons Regulations) 2015. Aim To overturn the DSP’s decision to stop JA payment to the client. Actions The client’s consent was obtained so that Dublin South CIS could process their personal data and act on their behalf. An initial letter of appeal was submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). The client’s social welfare file was requested under the Freedom of Information Act. The CIS information officer reviewed the client’s file and researched the regulations cited in the decision letter. Afterwards, a written submission was prepared and sent to the appeals office. This argued that the regulations cited in the decision letter did not apply to our client. In the intervening period, the DSP contacted our client and informed her that the original decision was under review (as is the practice with all decisions submitted to the SWAO for adjudication). The department further informed our client that they had a copy of her “Stamp 4” letter. Stamp 4 indicates permission to stay in Ireland for a specified period, subject to conditions.

The department offered to reinstate our client’s JA payment from the date of the Stamp 4 if the client agreed to withdraw her appeal. The client did not agree to this, and the appeal proceeded. The appeals officer identified that our client’s claim was disallowed on grounds that were not applicable to the client. The appeals officer found that Article 17(2)(a), which was cited by the department, only applies to a person who has a right to reside under Articles 6(1) or 6(2) of the Regulations and that the department had not provided any evidence as to how the Regulations would supersede the claimant’s status as a qualified family member. Outcomes The client’s appeal was upheld, and the payment awarded. The client subsequently received €2,200 in arrears.

Decision to refuse Domiciliary Care Allowance overturned on appeal. Background The client approached the CIS after their application for Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) was refused on medical eligibility grounds. In the application, the client explained how their child had significant care needs, and relevant supporting medical information was included. This information included a recommendation by a senior occupational therapist and a report by a senior speech and language therapist. The client was shocked to learn she had not received the payment and sought the CIS’s support to appeal the decision.

Aim To successfully appeal the decision .

Actions The CIS information officer requested the client’s file from the Department of Social Protection under the Freedom of Information Act to see what was included in the application form and what medical evidence was provided. The information officer submitted an initial letter of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The IO reviewed the files and asked the client to obtain additional medical evidence. After further evidence was secured, the information officer prepared a written submission and sent it to the appeals office.

Outcomes The appeal was upheld. The payment was awarded and backdated.

Claimant was refused payment on PRSI contribution grounds. Decision revised following analysis by Dublin South CIS. Background The client had been on sick leave for three months. He had applied for illness benefit payment but had not yet received a decision letter. On visiting his local Intreo office, he was informed that his claim had been processed but he did not qualify for the payment due to insufficient PRSI contributions. He was advised to apply for basic supplementary welfare allowance. The client, who was certain they were entitled to illness benefit, requested the support of the CIS in this matter.

Actions The CIS information officer examined why the client was considered ineligible for illness benefit. The information officer assisted the client in registering for MyWelfare and obtaining their PRSI record. The information officer noticed gaps in the PRSI record – for several years, the client had fewer than 52 weeks of paid contributions and no credited contributions. The client explained that they had had several jobs over the years but that they had always applied for Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) for any period they were not in employment.

The information officer checked the online records of the client’s social welfare payments. According to the information officer’s calculations, the client should have received credited PRSI contributions for the periods he was in receipt of JA. The information officer wrote to the PRSI records section and requested a review of the client’s records. The information officer also contacted the illness benefit section and informed them that the client requested that his PRSI record be updated to reflect the credited contributions he was entitled to.

Outcomes The client’s PRSI record was updated, and they were awarded illness benefit and arrears of €2,400.

Tenant supported by Dublin South CIS avoids eviction following the decision of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). Background The client presented to the CIS after they had received an eviction notice. The client lived in accommodation provided by an Approved Housing Body (AHB). The eviction notice was issued on the grounds of alleged anti-social behaviour. The client had also received a letter from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) inviting her to a hearing. To challenge the eviction order, the client sought the support of the CIS.

Aim To have the eviction order overturned.

Actions The CIS information officer contacted the landlord, who confirmed that the eviction notice would not be revoked. The information officer also contacted the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) and requested an adjournment of the hearing. The hearing was rescheduled. Our client ’s evidence was that they had not engaged in any anti-social behaviour. The CIS information officer subsequently represented the client at the RTB hearing, attended by the landlord as well. The client provided direct evidence at the hearing.

Outcomes The appeal was upheld. The RTB adjudication officer held that the notice of termination was invalid. The RTB ordered that the tenant remain in the property and continue paying the rent at the rate agreed unless lawfully varied, until such time as the dwelling is vacated.

Dublin South CIS support a vulnerable family to obtain Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and keep their home. Background The client, whose first language is not English, approached the CIS and explained their situation to an information officer. They were living in private rented accommodation with their children. The client’s partner had left them recently, and this made it impossible for the client to pay rent. The client’s tenancy was saved in the previous month, thanks to a one-off financial assistance from a charity. The client was extremely anxious about not being able to pay the next month’s rent and was struggling to cope. Their children were also worried.

Aim Apply for social housing and support the client with Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) application.

Actions The CIS information officer assisted the client with the application for social housing. This involved helping the client identify and source all relevant documentary evidence and complete the application form. The information officer also drafted a letter to the local authority, explaining the client’s situation.

The information officer made a referral a homeless charity in the hope that they would be able to offer the client financial or other support. The CIS information officer supported the client in obtaining additional information that the local authority had requested.

The client’s application for social housing was successful. The CIS officer requested the council to prioritise the client’s Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) application, and it was approved within ten days.

Outcome The client and their children were able to continue living in their home. The client was delighted with the outcome and said that they had not felt so relieved and happy in a very long time. In an email to the CIS information officer, the client mentioned, ‘I am in tears and in joy, and wanted to thank you for all efforts you made to help me, I owe you from my heart’.

Successful appeal against decision to deny backdate social welfare payment. Background The client was in receipt of disability allowance (DA) before he went to prison. Following his release, he approached the CIS for help in getting his payment reinstated. The CIS information officer assisted the client in this matter. The client’s payment was awarded, but he did not receive the amount of arrears he had been expecting. The information officer noted the date of award of the payment did not correspond with the date he was released from prison. Aim To have the client’s arrears backdated to the date he was released from prison.

Actions The CIS information officer contacted the disability section of the Department of Social Protection. The information officer explained to them that the client had been released from prison early on the condition that he engaged in the community return scheme. The client was also required to report back to prison on a weekly basis, which he did. He stayed in the community for the full nine-week period. The department official informed the information officer that the client was not paid for the nine weeks after his release because his prison papers recorded his status as ‘temporary release’. The official stated that the department did not make social welfare payments for any period spent on temporary release.

The information officer discovered that the client had made a request to add his partner and child to his DA claim months before he went to prison, but this request was not processed.

As the issue was outside the time frame for an appeal, the information officer submitted a request for a revised decision. The request was to backdate the payment to the date of the client’s release and to award him the increase for qualified adult and child for the period before he went to prison.

No response was received to this request. The information officer ultimately made a complaint to the department. The department subsequently issued an apology for the delay. A decision letter was issued to the client shortly after.

Outcome The client subsequently received confirmation that he would be paid arrears for the nine-week period and the arrears due for the qualified adult and child increases for the period before he went to prison. The client received over €8,000 in arrears.

Dublin South CIS supports pregnant worker in discrimination claim against employer. Background The client was employed by a food processing company, where she had commenced employment in February 2019. She presented to the CIS in August 2019 after being dismissed by her employer during the probationary period. The client said that she had informed her supervisor of her pregnancy and was subsequently dismissed. She believed the reason for her dismissal was her pregnancy.

Actions Having gathered all relevant information from the client, a senior CIS information officer submitted a data subject access request to the employer on behalf of the client. The file was received within a month, and following further consultations with the client, a complaint was submitted to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) for adjudication. The complaint was against discrimination under the Employment Equality Acts.

The complaint was submitted to the WRC in December 2019. The WRC set an adjudication hearing for September 2020, and the senior CIS information officer prepared a detailed written submission, setting out the facts of the case with supporting case law. The senior information officer sought the advice of the advocacy support worker before finishing the written submission. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hearing was postponed on several occasions. A remote hearing finally took place in April 2021.

The senior information officer represented the client at the hearing, and the respondent employer was represented by a solicitor. The WRC adjudicator officer issued their written decision in April 2021. Our client’s complaint was upheld. She was awarded €10,000.

The employer appealed the WRC decision to the Labour Court. The CIS senior information officer made a written submission to the Labour Court, and a hearing took place at the Labour Court in Dublin in August 2022.

Outcome The Labour Court made its ruling in September 2022. The Labour Court was convinced that our client was dismissed on the grounds of her pregnancy, and the appeal of the respondent was not upheld. Our client was awarded €10,000 in compensation. She subsequently received the payment from her former employer. WRC adjudication reference ADJ-00026176 Labour Court determination no. EDA2222

Dublin South CIS client receives arrears in excess of €25,000 following decision of appeals officer. Background In March 2021, the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) disallowed our client’s appeal against a decision rejecting her application for disability allowance on the grounds that there was no evidence that the claimant had supplied information to the department so that that an assessment of her means could be concluded. The client did not agree with the decision of the appeals officer and sought our assistance in this matter.

Aim To successfully appeal the decision.

Actions The CIS obtained the client’s file from the Department of Social Protection under the Freedom of Information Act. Following a review of the file and further consultations with the client, the CIS submitted a request to the Chief Appeals Officer of the Social Welfare Appeals Office under Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended.

It was argued that contrary to the department’s assertion that our client had not provided financial statements as requested, there was evidence in her file that not only did our client provide this information but that it was assessed by one of the department’s social welfare inspectors.

The information officer argued in their submission that it was the social welfare inspector’s responsibility to pursue certain lines of inquiry, such as regarding certain transactions on the client’s spouse’s account, if they were not satisfied with the information provided by the applicant. Our client had the reasonable assumption that she had supplied all the requested information and therefore was at a loss in understanding why the department had insisted she had not provided same.

The information officer argued in their submission that our client had subsequently been awarded supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) payment based on the same information provided as part of her application for disability allowance.

The Chief Appeals Officer (CAO) reached a decision on 21 December 2021 that allowed our client’s appeal on review. The CAO decided that the decision made by the appeals officer was erroneous. The CAO agreed that our client provided all information requested of her to allow an assessment of her means. Thus, our client had not failed to provide information requested of her, as was previously determined.

Outcome The appeals officer found in favour of our client. The department subsequently awarded our client the disability allowance payment. Our client also received arrears more than €25,000.

GOV ER N A N CE

The Board of Directors of Dublin South CIS met on eight occasions in 2022. A quorum was present at each meeting. From January to May, the Board had seven members. One board member resigned at the annual general meeting (AGM) in May 2022. The Board had eight members from May to September 2022 and nine from October to December 2022. Board members are appointed for a term of three years. At the end of their three-year term, board members can seek re-election at the annual general meeting. Board members can serve a maximum of two terms. On appointment, all new board members attend an induction training session with the Regional Manager and other board members. They are given an overview of the organisation and the various activities and services it provides. Further, they are briefed on their legal obligations under charity and company law and are provided with a copy of the company’s constitution. In addition, the role and responsibilities of a trustee are explained in detail. Trustees are also encouraged to attend appropriate external training events that will assist the undertaking of their role. BOARD MEETINGS IN 2022

NAME

MEETINGS ATTENDED

APPOINTED

Paul Monks (Chairperson)

18/04/2018

Niamh O’Doherty (Secretary)

18/04/2018

Kathleen Cass

12/09/2018

Marjo Moonen

18/04/2018

Donough O’Reilly

18/04/2018

Dudley O’Donnell

12/09/2018

Jerry Crowley

18/04/2018

Philip Byrne

17/05/2022

Tricia Nolan

17/05/2022

Keith O’Malley

10/10/2022

COMMITTEE MEETINGS IN 2022

Finance, Audit and Risk (FAR) Committee The roles of the FAR committee are as follows: •

Provide oversight, support and advice to the Board of Directors and the Regional Manager in the management of the corporate and finance responsibilities of Dublin South CIS

•

Oversee the financial affairs of the organisation, including budgets, governance and risk management.

•

Liaise with internal and external auditors and act on their recommendations.

•

Present monthly management accounts and quarterly financial reports to the Board, ensuring that bank reconciliations and other relevant documentation have been assessed.

•

Ensure all risks to the organisation are adequately managed. This includes all health and safety risks.

In 2022, the FAR committee reviewed the monthly management accounts and the quarterly returns to the Citizens Information Board (CIB) and recommended the accounts to the Dublin South CIS Board for approval. The FAR committee also reviewed the risk register on two occasions in 2022 and met eight times in the years. Members of the FAR committee in 2022:

NAME

ROLE

PERIOD

Keith O’Malley

Chair of FAR Committee

January–May

Paul Monks

Chairperson of DSCIS

January–July

Jerry Crowley

Board Members

July–December

Philip Byrne

Chair of FAR Committee

July–December

Simon Monds

Regional Manager – in Attendance

Vikki Hughes

Development Manager

Kasia Bancerz

Regional Administrator – in Attendance

October–December

Service Delivery and Development (SDD) Committee The roles of the SDD committee are as follows: •

Advise the Board on matters related to service quality.

•

Identify services that are not meeting agreed standards.

•

Identify the potential and need for different and/or new services.

•

Propose changes that will enhance the nature of services through the initiation of research or new approaches.

In 2022, the SDD committee developed, reviewed and monitored the Action Plan for 2022, in line with our Strategic Plan’s key actions. The SDD committee presented the premises plan to the Citizens Information Board and developed a strategic staffing and workforce plan for the region that will guide the Board’s decisions concerning premises and staffing over the coming years. The SDD committee met on six occasions in 2022. Members of the SDD committee in 2022:

NAME

ROLE

Marjo Moonen (Chair)

Board Member

Niamh O’Doherty

Board Member

Donough O’Reilly

Board Member

Sile Mason

Development Manager – In Attendance

Paula Madden

Development Manager – In Attendance

Simon Monds

Regional Manager – In Attendance

Human Resources (HR) Committee The purpose of the HR committee is to provide support and advice to both the Regional Manager and the Board in the management of human resources and industrial relations. The committee also has a function in recommending staffing structure and employment policies within the funding and legal constraints of the organisation. The primary responsibility for the management of staff in the organisation rests with the Regional Manager. The roles of the HR Committee are as follows: •

Ensure the implementation of the nationally agreed terms and conditions, pay and employment policies within the organisation.

•

Regularly review staffing structure, roles, procedures and practices with the Regional Manager and make recommendations to the Board.

•

Assist the Regional Manager with decision-making regarding personnel issues as they arise.

•

Co-ordinate the recruitment, selection and induction for the Regional Manager post to ensure smooth succession. With the Chairperson, ensure the Regional Manager receives regular support and supervision.

•

Monitor and ensure that all employees receive probation, performance reviews, support, supervision and relevant training.

•

Review and regularly update and recommend a safety statement to the Board for adoption by the company and ensure the company complies with health and safety legislation.

•

Assess risks in relation to HR and health and safety matters and make recommendations to mitigate these risks.

The HR committee met on six occasions in 2022. Members of the HR committee in 2022:

NAME

ROLE

Donough O’Reilly (Chair)

Board member

Niamh O’Doherty

Company Secretary

Marjo Moonen

Board Member

Simon Monds

Regional Manager – In Attendance

Governance and Compliance Committee The governance and compliance committee’s overarching objective is to support the Board of Dublin South CIS and to ensure that the necessary policies and procedures are in place to create an environment of good practice, transparency and accountability across the organisation. This includes ensuring the organisation’s legal and regulatory compliance obligations required by the Charities Regulator and the Companies Registration Office are met. The governance and compliance committee met on eight occasions in 2022. In October 2022, Dublin South CIS declared full compliance with the Charities Regulator’s Governance Code. The code dictates the minimum standards that charity trustees should meet to effectively manage and control their charity. These standards include advancing charitable purpose, behaving with integrity, leading people, exercising control, working effectively, and maintaining accountability and transparency.

Members of the governance committee in 2022:

NAME

ROLE

Kathleen Cass (Chair)

Board Member

Keith O’Malley

Board Member

Philip Byrne

Board Member

Tricia Nolan

Board Member

Niamh O’Doherty

Company Secretary

Paula Madden

Development Manager – In Attendance

Jim Winters

Advocacy Support Worker – In Attendance

Simon Monds

Regional Manager – In Attendance

In 2022, Keith O’Malley and Philip Byrne left the committee. Many thanks to Keith and Philip for their contribution. Tricia Nolan joined the committee in 2022. Manager of South Dublin County Volunteer Centre for many years, Tricia brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in many areas including governance.

Nominations Committee In accordance with the Charities Regulator’s Governance Code and to ensure that Dublin South CIS is led by a Board equipped with the skills necessary to guide the organisation, a nominations committee was constituted in February 2022. The committee is responsible for ensuring that an appropriate succession plan is in place for the Board. The roles of the nominations committee are as follows: •

Identify nominees to the Board of Directors, considering the balance of skills, experience and knowledge on the current Board.

•

Accept nominations of candidates proposed.

•

Consider any potential conflicts of interest.

•

Review the skills/knowledge of prospective candidates.

•

Inform each prospective Director, by notice, in writing, of the time commitment expected from the Director’s role before their appointment.

•

Maintain written records of the periods of time during which a person has served as a member of the Board of Directors.

•

Recommend appointments of new Directors to the Board.

In 2022, the nominations committee examined the competencies of existing board members, and it was determined that new board members should ideally have a background in finance, governance and/ or service delivery. Further, it was agreed that all new board members should be offered a structured induction programme, the membership of the Board be increased from 7 to 9 to ensure quorum at meetings and the work be distributed on the sub-committees. This was approved by the board. In December 2022, all new board members attended an induction session with the Regional Manager and the Chairperson, Paul Monks. New board members were given an overview of the organisation and the various activities and services it provides. They were briefed on their legal obligations under charity and company law and were provided with a copy of the company’s constitution. In addition, the roles and responsibilities of a trustee were explained in detail. Dr Philip Byrne, Director, Institute of Public Administration, and Jerry Crowley, Retired Project Manager (AIB), were nominated and recommended to the Board of Directors. Both were subsequently elected to the Board at the AGM in May 2022. In September 2022, Tricia Nolan, Manager, Dublin South County Volunteer Service, was co-opted to the Board of Directors. Tricia will seek election at the next AGM. As this nomination achieved the board complement of nine members, the committee had met its objectives for the year and turned to seeking suitable candidates to replace board members retiring in 2023. The committee met four times in 2022. Members of the nominations committee in 2022:

NAME

ROLE

Niamh O’Doherty (Chair)

Company Secretary

Paul Monks

Chairperson

Kathleen Cass

Board Member

Simon Monds

Regional Manager – In Attendance

PROFILE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PAUL MONKS, CHAIRPERSON Paul has worked for over 35 years in industry in Ireland and the UK and has extensive management experience in finance, operations and industrial relations. In recent years, he has specialised as a management consultant in performance management. Formerly a board member of Clondalkin and Lucan CIC, Paul recently joined the board of the Sign Language Interpreting Service. Paul has worked as a volunteer information provider in Lucan CIC since 2011.

KEITH O’MALLEY Keith is a career and business adviser with the Law Society of Ireland. He has a master’s degree in rehabilitation studies and has extensive experience in business management, human resources and financial control. Keith is a director of the national mental health organisation, Grow Ireland, and is one of the founders of the social enterprise Career Care.

MARJO MOONEN Marjo has more than 20 years’ experience in the development and delivery of services in the local government and community sectors. She has a particular interest in effective communications and information provision and in ensuring services successfully reach the most vulnerable people. She has more than 10 years’ experience as a director of different non-profit organisations.

DONOUGH O’REILLY Donough has over 30 years’ experience in personnel and human resource management, in both medical and retail industries. Donough was a director of the Stillorgan Credit Union for over 16 years and a director of Francis Street Money Advice and Budgeting Service for over 3 years.

KATHLEEN CASS Kathleen is a qualified Irish lawyer and has worked at management level in the international nongovernmental sector in Europe and Asia for the last 18 years. Kathleen has a particular interest in the field of governance, and she is currently supporting Irish and UK NGOs in drafting policies and procedures to build a good governance environment within their structures and meet compliance with charity regulations.

NIAMH O’DOHERTY, (COMPANY SECRETARY) Niamh O’Doherty worked for the Citizen Information Board (CIB) for twelve years, with a particular focus on service delivery. Following her retirement from CIB, Niamh was appointed Chairperson of the Board of Directors of both the Dublin 246 CIS and the Liffey South West MABS. She also served on the Boards of Dublin 8 CIS and Lombard St MABS. Niamh is currently a director of Dublin South Credit Union and South Dublin County Volunteer Centre.

DUDLEY O’DONNELL Dudley is an actively retired solicitor. He served at the Chief State Solicitors’ Office until his retirement and ran his own legal firm for many years before that. Dudley has had a particular interest in career management and in the domain of job seeking. Over the past 10 years, he has volunteered in a number of career assistance support initiatives.

PHILIP BYRNE Philip has over 43 years’ professional experience in the Irish public sector, and he is currently the director of the Training and Development Division of the Institute of Public Administration (IPA), where he has worked for the past 32 years. Philip is also the chair of Dublin South CIS and was previously a director of Dublin South MABS ltd. Philip holds a PhD in financial management and has extensive experience in financial management, governance and audit and risk management in the Irish public sector as well as the international sector, having worked in over 20 countries in Africa and Eastern Europe over the past 30 years.

JERRY CROWLEY Jerry has over 35 years’ experience in retail banking and financial services. Jerry is a director of South Dublin Credit Union and a Pension Trustee director. Jerry has a keen interest in supporting non-profit volunteer-led organisations and is an appointed Peace Commissioner for Dublin, Meath, Wicklow and Kildare.

TRICIA NOLAN Tricia is the manager of the South Dublin County Volunteer Centre, having worked there since its establishment as the first volunteer centre in Ireland. Tricia is passionate about volunteering and was instrumental in supporting the development of the volunteer centre network across Ireland – including the establishment of Volunteer Ireland. She is also a board member and company secretary to South Dublin County Partnership. She has, for many years, served on the board of Tallaght CIC (including chairing it for several years) and is delighted to see the growth and broadening of remit of the service.

F I N AN CIA L STAT EM ENTS FOR THE YEAR E N DED 31/12/2022

Statement of financial activities for the financial year ended 31 December 2022

Income Charitable activities - Grants from governments and other co-funders

Notes

Restricted Funds 2022 €

Total Funds 2022 €

Restricted Funds 2021 €

Total Funds 2021 €

4.1

1,924,034

1,789,312

5.1

1,894,380

2,052,267

29,654

(262,955)

29,654

(262,955)

79,256

342,211

108,910

79,256

Expenditure Charitable activities Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds Net movement in funds for the financial year Reconciliation of funds: Total funds beginning of the year Total funds at the end of the year

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the financial year. All income and expenditure relate to continuing activities. Approved by the Board of Directors on 23 May 2023 and signed on its behalf by: Paul Monks Director Niamh O'Doherty Director

F I N AN CIA L STAT EM ENTS FOR THE YEAR E N DED 31/12/2022

Dublin South Citizens Information Service

BALANCE SHEET

as at 31 December 2022

2022

2021

Notes

€

8 9

416 173,123

800 142,444

173,539

143,244

{64,629)

(63,988)

Net Current Assets

108,910

79,256

Total Assets less Current Liabilities

108,910

79,256

Funds Restricted funds

108,910

79,256

108,910

79,256

Current Assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Total funds

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime and in accordance with FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland", applying Section 1A of that Standard. Approved by the Board of Directors on 23 May 2023 and signed on its behalf by: Paul Monks Director Niamh O'Doherty Director

AC K N OWL EDGEMENTS Thank you to all the board members who volunteer their time and expertise. Thank you to all the staff for their commitment to the values of the organisation and to providing a quality service to the public. 2022 was a challenging year for many reasons. Thank you also to the people who are employed on various employment schemes – you are all valuable assets to the organisation. A special thank you to all the people who volunteered throughout the year.

The following staff left the organisation in 2022. We would like to thank them for their hard work and dedication and wish them all a bright future. •

Helena Guilfoyle

•

Karl Gill

•

Atalie Graham

•

Deirdre Curtis