Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the total number of clients dealt with by the monetary advice and budgeting service for each of the past five years; the total number of new clients to date in 2010; the average waiting time to access MABS services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27896/10]

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on the waiting times to access monetary advice and budgetary services advisers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27938/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 64 together.

The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) assists people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems. The role of money advisers is to help clients to assess their financial situation, make a budget plan and deal with creditors. MABS is now dealing with increasingly complex debt situations in respect of clients who are presenting with multiple creditors and debts.

In 2005, MABS dealt with approximately 10,900 new clients. In 2006 the number was similar with 11,000 new clients seen by the service. This figure increased to 12,000 and 16,000 in 2007 and 2008 respectively. The number increased further to 19,000 in 2009. In the period January to May 2010 some 9,200 new clients have been seen by MABS. This represents a 9% increase in the number of new clients accessing MABS in 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.

Statistics on the number of new clients accessing MABS, and the profile of such clients, are compiled on a quarterly basis and can be found on the www.mabs.ie website.

In addition the MABS helpline has dealt some 49,700 calls since its launch in October 2007. Some 12,200 calls have been dealt with to date this year compared with 10,500 for the same period in 2009.

The Citizens Information Board, who has responsibility for MABS, is currently compiling information on the waiting times in each MABS office for the end of the 2nd quarter in 2010 which will shortly be posted to the www.mabs.ie website. Based on latest information available the average waiting time from first point of contact to first appointment with a money adviser is just over 4 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 service to assist people in overcoming their indebtedness and managing their finances.