Mr. Dermot Sreenan:

My understanding is that there are 40 positions, and there were 32 as of the end of December. We lost people because of the uncertainty. They carry a heavy caseload. They are not the only people who deal with nonbanking entities, so there is also a caseload carried by the Money Advice & Budgeting Service. It is the uncertainty that is really difficult, as is the inability to plan with any degree of certainty. That is what is causing this issue. As I have said, one of the key points needing to be addressed is the power imbalance at the heart of this equation. Everybody should have the right to an advocate and the right to be able to access our service. We are doing the best we can to ensure everybody has access in a timely manner. I want to make sure the public knows that and that message is sent out clearly from this meeting. Resources are at the heart of this issue, and it is the position of MABS that these jobs should be made permanent because of the work being done. It also provides us with the opportunity to bring to this committee actual data of what is going on for clients.