David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 415: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when he will publish legislation to place the money advice and budgeting service on a statutory footing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17205/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) last year, provided services to some 12,500 new clients throughout the country. The number of active cases at the end of the year was some 14,900. The demand for the service can be attributed to the increase in the availability of credit generally and to the quality of the service provided by MABS advisors.

In 2006, €16.4 million was provided to fund the service and in 2007 the allocation was further increased to €17.67 million to assist the MABS in dealing with its workload. There are 53 independent companies nationwide employing some 230 money advice staff who deliver the service at a local level.

I plan to bring proposals to establish the MABS on a statutory basis to the Government shortly. My intention in this regard is to build on the best features of the MABS model of service to the public, combining a continuation of local voluntary involvement with strong national leadership to ensure a high quality consolidated MABS for the future. I also want to take account of best practice in corporate governance for a customer focussed service that provides value for money for the taxpayers investment and meets the challenges posed by the rapidly changing face of debt in 21st century Ireland.