Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the length of time people are spending on the waiting list for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service in every office; the number of cases that have been dealt with by every office since the beginning of 2009; how this compares with the past three years; if there are vacancies in the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43715/09]

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 increasingly 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.

There are 52 independent MABS companies operating the local MABS services from 65 locations throughout the country, with national support provided by the MABS NDL. In addition, the MABS National Telephone Helpline is available from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday and the MABS website can be accessed 24 hours a day at www.mabs.ie.

In 2009, to the end of October, some 16,320 new clients approached MABS for assistance with debt difficulties. This compares with 16,600 new clients in 2008; 12,734 new clients in 2007 and 11,460 in 2006. The MABS telephone helpline commenced operation in September 2007 and in 2008 dealt with almost 11,000 callers. In the period to the end of October 2009 the helpline has dealt with some 20,800 calls.

Funding of €18 million has been provided to MABS to deliver its services in 2009. An additional 19 staff are currently being recruited which will bring the number of MABS staff to 271. Eleven new staff are already in place and the remainder will be appointed shortly.

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. For example, one initiative involves a money management education programme for people facing redundancy to inform them about managing on a reduced income and how to avoid getting into debt.

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 to the MABS Helpline and to the MABS website in the first instance. 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. Some 10% of callers are referred to the local MABS for assistance.

From first point of contact to first appointment with a money advisor the average waiting time is currently 4.5 weeks. This is the average nationally and there are fluctuations between offices. During the waiting period clients are assessed and those in need of immediate assistance are given a priority appointment, others are provided with assisted self-help to ensure that they have taken steps to assess their situation and if appropriate they are supported to take holding action with their creditors.

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. The additional resources, which have been provided to the offices with the longest waiting lists, will all be in place in early December and this will assist them meet the demand for their services.