Imelda Henry (Fine Gael)

I wish to speak about the money advice and budgeting service, MABS. I acknowledge the great work it has done in the past and the importance of the work it is doing now in these difficult and challenging times. There are more than 50 offices throughout Ireland. I wish to raise in particular the lack of staff in the Sligo office to deal with the number of people looking for support, help and advice. Perhaps the Leader could invite the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, to come to the House to clarify the future of MABS and its structure. The programme for Government outlines plans to restructure MABS into a national debt agency. In the times we are in with the number of families who are struggling, it is important to get clarification and act on this as soon as possible.