Citizens Advice, Northern Ireland
Name of representative in CAI: Derek Alcorn

Citizens Advice is the largest advice charity in Northern Ireland working against poverty, and meeting the information, advice and advocacy needs of some 161812 people who generated 264,047 enquiries in the year to March 2007.  Fifty two per cent (52%) of these enquiries in Northern Ireland relate to social security indicating that the CAB service is closely aligned to Government objectives in respect of TSN,  Child Poverty and the NI Anti poverty strategy. CAB represents at some 1000 social security type tribunals each year and is the largest single provider of help to appellants in Northern Ireland.
There are 28 local CAB offices in Northern Ireland and 100 outreach centres managed by 20 management committees. The Association has funding relationships with 24 of Northern Ireland’s District Councils, and in the 12 months to March 2007 had a turnover of some £5.0m, of which the Citizens Advice Regional Office accounted for over £1m.

The Association has formal links to CAB in England & Wales and close working relationships with Citizens Advice Scotland.  Together the three Associations constitute the biggest advice network in Europe with over 60 years of giving advice and information to the public.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk