Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the funding received by MABS in 2007. [31584/08]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if MABS have reported an increase in the numbers attending their advice services to date in 2008; and if her attention has been drawn to the funding or capacity shortages being experienced by the body. [31585/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 228 together.

The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) provides assistance to people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems. There are 53 independent companies nation-wide operating the service. Many voluntary and statutory bodies such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Community Welfare Service, the Credit Union Movement, Citizens Information Centres, Centres for the Unemployed and local authorities work closely with the programme.

In 2007, €17.64 million was provided to fund the service. To end of August 2008, a total of 10,800 new clients have approached the MABS, an increase of 2,500 clients over the same period in 2007. The growth in demand for the service can be mainly attributed to the increase in the availability of credit and to the quality of the service provided by MABS advisors. The MABS is highly regarded and successful in meeting the needs of its clients. In 2008, €17.95 million was provided to assist the MABS in dealing with the increased workload.