Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I understand that 12 full-time posts have been divided up among 19 full-time and part-time workers, although I stand to be corrected. The Deputy suggested that people should be given advice in advance, which can be done in several ways. I recently launched a programme under the Money Advice and Budgeting Service's community education programme, which is very successful at giving information to people at a young age. MABS, in conjunction with the Financial Regulator, has devised a useful document in support of the transition year programme on money management and priorities within money. The MABS programme for working with Travellers will help such people from running into debt. The Deputy specifically asked about mortgages. I understand from the Financial Regulator that when one is selling a financial product, such as a pension or a mortgage, one has to advise people that its value is likely to decrease as well as increase. People have to be given that information.

See this speech in context