Written answers
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Department of Social and Family Affairs
Money Advice and Budgeting Service
10:00 am
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 430: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of clients served by the Blanchardstown Money Advice and Budgeting Service office to date in 2010 and for each of the past five years; the number of staff currently working in the office and the number of staff working there at the end of each of the past five years; the waiting time for new clients for an initial appointment at the office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29235/10]
Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The number of people in Blanchardstown who have availed of the services of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) for the past five years is outlined in the table below. Please note that these statistics were not routinely gathered prior to 2006 and figures for 2005 could not be collated in the time available.
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | End May 2010 | |
| Active Clients at 31st December | 550 | 749 | 985 | 943 | 690 |
| New Clients at 31st December | 486 | 394 | 422 | 372 | 218 |
| Total Staff (Full Time Equivalent) | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5 | 5 |
The waiting time for appointment is up to 6.5 weeks however all urgent cases are seen within 48 hours.
Support provided for new clients while awaiting appointment includes referral to MABS Helpline, provision of information pack and telephone contact with a Money Advisor.
An additional part-time money advisor was appointed to Blanchardstown MABS in 2009 and I am satisfied that the additional resource will assist Blanchardstown MABS to meet the demand for their services.
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