Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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147. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of calls received per month for 2015 and 2016 by the Money Advice and Budgeting Service in relation to mortgage and loan arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2454/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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 or living on social welfare payments. As part of its free services, MABS provides help and advice to those in mortgage arrears.

MABS local services are staffed by experienced Money Advisers who work with clients experiencing difficulties with a wide range of personal debts including personal loans, mortgages, credit card debt, catalogue debts, debts to legal moneylenders, hire purchase and utility debt.

The role of MABS was expanded in 2015 with the establishment of a Dedicated Mortgage Arrears MABS service (DMA MABS) across the MABS network, to help people specifically with home mortgage arrears. There are now 32 specialist DMA advisors working across 27 locations countrywide, assisting borrowers to assess the options available to them and, where required, negotiating with lenders on their behalf. To date over 2,800 people have availed of the DMA MABS service.

MABS Helpline advisers also give advice and support on many money management and debt issues, and can also provide MABS self-help materials.

Over the course of the period in question, January 2015 to December 2016, the MABS Helpline recorded statistics relating to 36,280 calls. Many callers have a range of money or debt concerns.

The number of calls relating to mortgages, and mortgages on family homes, received by the MABS National Helpline, broken down by month for 2015 and 2016 are shown in the table.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.