John Gormley
Question:52 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the most up to date information on the numbers using the Money Advice and Budgeting Service. [4934/03]
Written Answers - Money Advice and Budgeting Service.
The most up to date information on the numbers using the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS, relates to 2001. In that year the service took on approximately 9,000 new clients. In 2001 the Money Advice and Budgeting Service had approximately 17,000 active cases at any one time. I expect to have information on the numbers who used the MABS service in 2002 by the end of April 2003. The key feature of the MABS programme is the provision of money advice, including the publication of information on money management and debt counselling. The service is targeted primarily at individuals and families who have problems with debt or moneylending and who are on low income or in receipt of social welfare payments. The service places an emphasis on practical, budget-based measures that will succeed in removing people permanently from dependence on moneylenders and open up alternative sources of low cost credit.