Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2015
157. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if there is a need to provide a permanent accessible Money Advice and Budgeting Service office in Athy in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42660/15]
View answerThe Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money and budgeting advice) and advocacy services on a wide range of public and social services. It delivers on its remit through a network of delivery partners which includes 42 local Citizens Information Services (CIS) and 51 local Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS). Additionally, the MABS helpline (0761 07 2000) is open 5 days a week, from 9am until 8pm, and the MABS website can be accessed 24 hours a day at www.mabs.ie.
MABS clients from the Athy area of Co. Kildare are served by an outreach office, one day per week, operated by Carlow MABS, in the Resource Centre on Woodstock Street, Athy. Appointments can be booked through Carlow MABS.
Carlow MABS has served Athy for 20 years, during which time around 540 clients from the Athy area have availed of its service. Carlow MABS currently has 90 active clients from the Athy area on its books. In September 2015 there were 5 new clients from Athy, none in October, and 6 in November. Accordingly, given the level of demand, the existing service is considered to be adequate.
CIB, together with local MABS management, will continue to monitor demand to ensure that client needs are being adequately met.
