During 2001 three pilot regional development officer, RDO, posts were created in the western, eastern and midland regions as part of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS. These were to operate for a period of one year during which an evaluation would take place. The primary function of the RDOs was to examine the need for networking, support and policy development support to MABS projects in their regions and to consider how best that might be delivered.
Funding for the three RDO posts was discontinued with effect from 1 July 2003 when the period planned for these pilot schemes was up. As these were always intended to be limited term pilot projects, I do not propose to reinstate this particular funding. However, in accordance with the recommendations of an evaluation report on the three pilot RDO posts, my Department is in the process of setting up arrangements at national level to address all of the issues and meet the need of management and staff, and give effect to the lessons learned in the pilot projects.