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Money Advice and Budgeting Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 April 2014

Wednesday, 16 April 2014

Questions (39)

Seán Kyne

Question:

39. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the vital work which the Money Advice and Budgeting Service carries out if there is scope to extend the presence of the service to new areas such as Clifden for the north Connemara area; the take-up of the service over the past three years; the work undertaken to minimise waiting periods; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17690/14]

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Written answers

The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), under the aegis of the Citizens Information Board (CIB), 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. In 2014, the Citizens Information Board has been allocated a budget of approximately €46 million of which some €18.6 million has been assigned to MABS. The Money Advice and Budgeting Service is made up of a network of 53 companies, which includes 51 local companies and 2 national companies MABS National Development Limited and National Traveller MABS. In addition, 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.

South Galway Money Advice and Budgeting Service has its main office in Galway City and covers a geographic area which includes Clifden. There are also two sub offices, one in Loughrea and one in An Cheathrú Rua which was opened in 2012.

New client numbers have not changed significantly over the past three years (see chart). The number of new clients presenting to the service in Q1 2014 was 189.

2011

2012

2013

953

955

957

The average waiting time for South Galway MABS at the end of March 2014 was 4 weeks, which is just over the national average of 3.4 weeks. This has reduced from a 6 week waiting time at end December 2013.

CIB has been working closely with South Galway MABS to reduce the waiting times for clients. Clients are issued with notification of their first appointment immediately following an assessment stage, or within five working days. There is ongoing contact with clients who are awaiting face to face appointments, including call-back and helpline support and the use of self-help material. The services of a part time Resource Money Adviser (RMA) located in the Loughrea office were also deployed to assist in the reduction of waiting times.

MABS also sees emergency clients immediately, without any waiting period. To end March, 2014 South Galway MABS dealt with 27 such clients.

There are no immediate plans to expand MABS services in South Galway, particularly in the context of the current budgetary constraints. CIB will continue to work closely with MABS local management to ensure that client needs are met.

Question No. 40 answered with Question No. 13.
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