Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

The money advice and budgeting service, MABS, is the main Government-funded service that provides assistance to people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems. There are 53 independent MABS companies with voluntary boards of management operating the local MABS services from 65 locations throughout the country. In addition, the MABS national telephone helpline is available from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Friday, at lo-call number 1890 283 438, and budgeting and money management information can be accessed 24 hours a day at www.mabs.ie.In 2008, more than 16,600 new clients approached the MABS for assistance with debt difficulties and the telephone helpline dealt with almost 11,000 callers. This year, 3,400 new clients have approached the service. The telephone helpline has received 4,200 calls up to the end of February. In 2009, almost €18 million has been provided to assist the MABS in dealing with its workload. Six additional full and part-time staff have been allocated to the local services. The capacity of the telephone helpline has been strengthened and MABSndl, the national support company, has introduced a number of community education and other initiatives to assist the local services in managing their increased caseloads.

There now are 252 money advice staff employed throughout the country in the MABS. Money advisers help clients to assess their financial situation, make a budget plan and deal with creditors. All MABS companies operate an appointment system for meeting clients. Clients with urgent difficulties are prioritised for attention and are dealt with promptly. Less urgent cases are referred to the telephone helpline and to the MABS website. More than 90% of callers to the helpline find that their money management and budgeting issues can be resolved with the assistance of the helpline adviser. Approximately 10% of callers are referred to the local MABS for appointment.

The MABS advises that people coping with debt difficulties should take early action. An approach to the MABS, via any of the channels, can be the first positive step in addressing debt difficulties. The MABS provides a high-quality, personal service to members of the public that helps many in coping with and overcoming the burden of indebtedness that can have such an impact on their lives and that of their families.

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