Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 534: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who availed of the services of the Money Advice and Budgetary Service in each county in 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18130/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), under the aegis of the Citizens Information Board, assists people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems, in particular those on low incomes and people living on social welfare payments. The number of people who have availed of the services of the MABS companies in each county in 2011 is provided in the table. There are 53 independent MABS companies with voluntary boards of management employing some 277 money advice staff, operating nationwide. 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. Funding of some €18 million has been provided to support the MABS in 2012.

In December 2011 sanction was received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for the retention of 12 temporary posts within the MABS network for a further two year period

I am satisfied that MABS has sufficient resources to continue to provide a high quality personal service to assist people in overcoming their indebtedness and managing their finance.