Written answers

Tuesday, 21 June 2011

Department of Social Protection

Money Advice and Budgeting Service

9:00 pm

Photo of Ray ButlerRay Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 198: To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 299 of 15 June 2011, if she will advise the timescale involved in the review being carried out by the Citizens Information Board regarding the processes being used by Money Advice and Budgeting Service companies with a view to reducing waiting times; the staffing issues for individual MABS companies; the financial resources available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16535/11]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Responsibility for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) transferred to the Citizen Information Board (CIB) in July 2009. As part of the ongoing review of its services the Board have put a new organisational structure in place, since April 2011, which enables CIB regional managers to get a greater insight into the nature of supports required by MABS companies on the ground to deliver an effective service.

The focus 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 any 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 2010, the Citizens Information Board (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. The Board monitors funding allocations across all its companies, MABS and CIS, and any company experiencing difficulties will be supported from within the current overall allocation to CIB to deliver on its commitments.

The waiting times of MABS clients for a face-to-face meeting with a money advisor and the staffing issues for individual MABS companies are monitored on an on-going basis by the Board. The review referred to in my last response is looking at the processes being used by MABS companies with a view to a consistent approach being taken to managing waiting times, taking account of service capacity across the network of companies, and in the context of the overall existing budget allocation. It is expected that this review will be concluded by the end of July 2011 and any efficiencies will be initiated before the end of the year.

I am satisfied that the CIB will continue to closely monitor the position in relation to the resources available to individual MABS companies to ensure that effective services are delivered to customers requiring assistance.

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