The network of Community Information Services in Ireland performs an important role by providing citizens with access to free public information, advisory and advocacy services. The network is enabled to do this by a mixture of staff comprising employees, volunteers and participants from an active labour market programme (the Community Employment scheme). TMA were requested by the Citizens Information Board, the statutory body which funds the provision of information, advice and advocacy on a broad range of public and social services, to review the contribution made by the Community Employment scheme participants to the workings of the Community Information Services. TMA’s report explores the overall nature of engagement of scheme workers in services, the extent of face-to-face work with clients and the progression of staff into more mainstream roles in services.

TMA’s report can be accessed here:
http://www.citizensinformationboard.ie/downloads/social_policy/CE_and_Employment_Programmes_Research_Rpt.pdf