Mr. Lorcan O'Connor:

To give the shortest answer first, in the context of those who are living outside the State, there are requirements within the legislation to the effect that in order to qualify for any of these new arrangements individuals will be obliged to meet certain residency tests. I would not be sufficiently competent to describe what these involve but I understand they are quite complex. People living outside Ireland have the ability to apply. However, I understand that those who live abroad for a long period will, in time, no longer qualify to apply.

We took staff on secondment from MABS in the spring. This was done in the hope that it would benefit us in the same way it would benefit them in order that they could see how we were developing our guides for debt relief notes and contribute to the process. We have not had anyone on secondment from MABS since March. The 78 staff to whom the Deputy refers are full-time employees of the ISI.

On the capacity of MABS, I understand MABS has received sanction to recruit 13 people specifically to work in the area as approved intermediaries. They are already in place and ready to go. I also understand that within the overall network of MABS offices it is envisaged that where there is capacity people within the offices would assist in dealing with these cases. The assurances I have received through Citizens' Information and MABS is that they believe they have sufficient capacity to deal with the level of debt relief notices that they anticipate will arise.