Written answers

Thursday, 26 May 2011

Department of Social Protection

Money Advice and Budgeting Service

11:00 am

Photo of Michelle MulherinMichelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an additional member, a money advisor, to the North Mayo Monetary Advice and Budgeting Service office which has a seven week waiting list and services from Blacksod to Ballaghaderreen and south Sligo which includes an area with one of the highest unemployment rates in the country and has not had an increase in staff numbers since 2004. [13162/11]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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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.

There are 52 independent MABS companies operating the local MABS services from 65 locations throughout the country, including offices in North Mayo, South Mayo and Sligo, 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. Some 90% of clients presenting to MABS are assisted through the telephone helpline, which provides assisted self-help to ensure clients take steps to assess and address their situation.

The Citizens Information Board (CIB), which has responsibility for MABS, compiles information on the waiting times in each MABS office on a quarterly basis and posts it to the www.mabs.ie website. At the end of March 2011 the average waiting time from first point of contact to first appointment with a money adviser is some 6 weeks. This is the average nationally and there are fluctuations between offices.

The focus of MABS is in ensuring clients get the level of support they need and as such client assessments and effective case management are important components of the overall approach. 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. In this context MABS highlights the importance of creditors proactively working with their customers to resolve arrears difficulties at an early stage.

In 2010, the CIB allocated a total budget of some €18.2m for the delivery of money advice and budgeting services and this figure was increased to €18.3m in 2011. As well as funding, the Citizens Information Board also provides management support to ensure services are delivered effectively. The Board is aware of the client demand for money advice services in the north west region and a request for additional staffing in respect of North Mayo MABS has been received. This is under review in the context of requests from other services, the increased demand for services throughout the country, and the financial resources available.

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