We have citizens information centres in 50 locations across the country. There are five centres across County Tipperary: Thurles, Nenagh, Roscrea, Tipperary town and Clonmel. In 2023, these centres dealt with 40,000 queries and 17,000 callers, with queries ranging from social protection to employment, pensions and applications for citizenship. This service has provided to some of the most vulnerable people in society, who have trust, faith and confidence in the citizens information service, CIS, to support them. It advocates on their behalf and supports them throughout their journey. CIS staff who are members of SIPTU are being balloted on industrial action, up to and including strike action. If this action commences, CIS centres across the country will be closed post budget, which will have a significant impact on members of the public in gaining information and access to entitlements within that budget next week. Staff working in citizens information centres have not had any pay increase since 2008. A Labour Court decision acknowledges their position and recommends a pay increase of 9.5%. The Minister, Deputy Humphreys, has stated her Department would not be found wanting. The delay is with the Department of public expenditure and reform, which appears to be blocking or delaying the implementation of the pay increase. I ask that the Minister to intervene with the other two Ministers to have this situation resolved.

I thank the Deputy for raising this really important issue. I am a massive supporter of the citizens information service. All of us know the work that is done right across the country and the invaluable service it provides.

I am fully supportive of a pay increase for these workers. I want to be clear on this. I have not met a Government colleague who is not supportive of that at this stage. The Department of Social Protection has been actively engaging with the Department of public expenditure and reform on the Labour Court recommendations of 21 June to which the Deputy Lowry referred.

I understand talks commenced last week between representatives of SIPTU, the Citizens’ Information Board, CIB, and the Department of Social Protection on a pay agreement. They are due to convene later this month. This process is the best way to reach consensus on a pay agreement for the workers. I strongly encourage parties to continue to engage. I certainly am fully supportive of the pay increases, as are most of us. I will raise the matter raised by the Deputy with the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, and the Minister for public expenditure and reform, Deputy Donohoe.