asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider setting up a debt counselling service within his Department in order to provide counselling services for families who are in serious debt because of their inability to survive on current social welfare payments.
Written Answers. - Debt Counselling Service.
111.
I arranged earlier this year for a detailed study of moneylending and indebtedness to be carried out by the Combat Poverty Agency. Following on this study, the report of which I have recently received from the agency, the Government have decided to approach the issue of moneylending and indebtedness on two levels, intervention through legal and financial measures and intervention through providing information and education on debt and money management. As far as debt counselling is concerned, the measures which I have recently announced include:
—the provision by the National Social Service Board of a money service on a nationwide basis,
—the introduction of basic information leaflets on debt avoidance and money management to be distributed at all social welfare offices in conjunction with payments,
—the inclusion of a module on debt and money management in courses organised by FÁS, and
—the inclusion of a similar module in civics and other courses in primary and second level schools and also in adult education courses.
In this regard also, as Deputies will be aware, I made a grant of £100,000 earlier this year to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for a nationwide series of personal development and home management courses aimed at providing practical advice and assistance, including financial advice, to over 5,000 families throughout the country. These courses are ongoing and are proving to be very successful. Great credit is due to the society for their work in this regard.
The report also contains information on the very worthwhile efforts of the society and of credit unions in various parts of the country to give direct assistance to people in debt to moneylenders to enable them to get out of the moneylending trap. The Government are committed to supporting initiatives of this kind and I will shortly be discussing with the society and the Irish League of Credit Unions the operation of a special fund which I have now set up to assist those trapped by moneylending debts.