David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 372: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the average amount of debt that clients of the MABS are in; their average earnings per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23530/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has overall responsibility for the money advice and budgeting service, MABS, which provides assistance to people experiencing indebtedness. There are 52 independent companies nationwide operating the service. MABS does not generate statistics on indebtedness and, consequently, the information sought by the Deputy is not available.

MABS, through MABS National Development Limited, is in the process of developing a computer system that will provide relevant statistics on indebtedness. MABS is centred on the needs of the customer and it is vital that the various needs of customers are met. This system, when operational, will add another positive dimension to the role of MABS.