Vol. 517 No. 6
60 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when he will introduce legislation to put money advice and budgeting services on a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10529/00]
My Department has been directly involved in activities to tackle the problems of moneylending and over indebtedness since 1988 and has been funding the money advice and budgeting service (MABS) programme since 1992. By the end of 1999 the Department was supporting 50 MABS projects, thereby providing a service countrywide.
The local projects, funded by my Department and managed by a committee drawn from local voluntary and statutory services and community groups, operate in partnership with other relevant agencies. The projects are independent information and advice providers, rooted in the local community.
The MABS budget has grown from £260,000, six projects, in 1992 to £4,542,000, 50 projects, in 2000. The time has now come to give formal recognition in statute law to the excellent work of the MABS network of projects.
I intend to bring proposals to Government to give formal recognition in legislation to the MABS service and its work. I stress that this is about giving formal recognition in legislation to the MABS as it is working and as it has worked so well over the past years and not about changing the key features and advantages of the service as currently structured. I want to enhance and support the autonomous nature, the voluntary management and the sense of community "ownership" of the independent local MABS projects, while putting a formal legislative basis for their continued funding, support and development into the future.
