Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the projected savings arising from her proposal to place the Money Advice and Budgeting Service under the control of the Citizens Information Service. [39499/08]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the action she is taking to assist people to combat the prevalence of debt in the current economic climate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39437/08]

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps she has taken to provide additional supports to the Money Advice and Budgeting Services as outlined in the programme for Government in view of the current economic climate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39432/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 102, 105 and 114 together.

The MABS provides a high quality personal service to the public and makes a difference to peoples lives. However, it has been recognised for some time that the Service needs a proper legislative basis and structure. The Programme for Government envisaged that such a new structure for the MABS would involve strong national leadership and would maximise the current local voluntary involvement in the service.

The Government has decided that this can best be achieved by placing the MABS with the Citizens Information Board. The MABS and Citizens Information Centres complement each other well as both are involved in providing information, advice and advocacy services to the public. In addition, the Citizens Information Board has a long association with the MABS at both national and local level and was involved in establishing some of the original MABS pilot projects.

There will be no change in the status of the 53 independent MABS companies, nor in the employment status of their 240 employees that provide the service at local level.

It is not envisaged that significant savings or additional costs will arise on the assignment of the provision of the MABS to the Citizens Information Board. Rather the intention is, in line with the Programme for Government, to provide strong management support to the local voluntary companies in the provision of a high quality service to meet the needs of people encountering debt difficulties in today's society. However cost efficiencies will be realised in the medium to longer term through the integration of support services such as administration and IT.

The legislative provisions to give effect to the proposed changes are contained in the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 which is before Dail Eireann today.