Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to an upsurge in attendance at Money Advice and Budgeting Service offices; the consequences of the increased numbers on persons seeking this service and on its staff; if the quality of the service is effected; and the effect of that reduced service on its customers. [37608/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is the main Government funded service which provides assistance to people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems. The role of money advisors is to help clients to assess their financial situation, make a budget plan and deal with creditors. The MABS is now dealing with increasing complex debt situations in respect of clients who are presenting with multiple creditors/debts. It is important that people coping with debt difficulties take early action and approach MABS for help and guidance. This can be the first positive step for people in addressing debt difficulties.

In 2009, funding of €18 million has been provided to MABS to deliver its services. There is 271 money advice staff working in 65 locations around the country to assist the local services in managing their increased caseloads. This includes an additional nineteen posts which are currently being recruited, of which 6 are currently in place with the remainder been appointed by early December. The capacity of the LoCall telephone helpline has also been strengthened and MABS NDL the national support company has introduced a number of community education initiatives.

In addition to MABS NDL, there are 52 independent MABS companies providing advice, operating nationwide from 65 locations throughout the country. All MABS companies operate an appointment system for clients. Clients with urgent difficulties are prioritised for attention and are dealt with promptly. Less urgent cases are referred in the first instance to the MABS National Telephone Helpline which is available from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday at LoCall number 1890 283 438. The budgeting and money management information can also be accessed 24 hours a day at www.mabs.ie.

The Helpline handles less complex straight-forward single debt cases such as threatened utility disconnections. In such cases, MABS Helpline staff deal directly with the ESB and An Bord Gais to resolve the issue. Over 90% of callers to the Helpline find that their money management and budgeting issues can be resolved with the assistance of the helpline advisor. Staff have proved to be very effective in supporting clients to take preliminary action to address their debts without the need for a meeting with a money adviser. Some 10% of callers are referred to the local MABS for assistance.

In 2008, over 16,600 clients approached the MABS for assistance with debt difficulties; the telephone helpline dealt with almost 11,000 callers. At the end of October 2009, some 16,300 clients were seen by MABS staff. The MABS helpline received over 20,800 calls in the same period.

I am satisfied that MABS provides a high quality personal money advice and budgeting service to members of the public who may have difficulty in coping with the burden of indebtedness and the additional resources provided will assist them meet the demand for their services.