Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 February 2021
524. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which the funding allocation for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service is determined for each region; and the per capita spend for each county. [7344/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), funded by the Citizens Information Board (CIB), is the State’s money advice service and provides assistance to people, in particular those on low incomes or in receipt of social welfare payments, who are over-indebted.
An annual allocation is provided to the 8 regional MABS companies, by a statutory body, the CIB, on a regional basis - not on a per capita basis. I am advised that the CIB allocates funding taking account of submissions from each of the 8 regional MABS companies and decides on the allocation per company. It is up to each MABS regional company and their Board to determine how best to allocate their resources in order to meet the demand for services from customers in their region.
The table below sets out the provisional budget allocation for each of the eight MABS companies for 2021. Approximately 90% of each allocation corresponds to costs associated with approved staffing allocations and premises. Final budget allocations will be confirmed by CIB in mid-February when the MABS companies make a final submission to CIB, so actual budgets may vary slightly from the allocations below.
MABS Company Funding
|
Regional Company |
*Budget Allocation 2021 |
|
Dublin South |
€2.88m |
|
North Connacht & Ulster Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan |
€1.87m |
|
North Dublin |
€2.67m |
|
North Leinster Louth, Longford, Westmeath, Meath and Kildare |
€1.85m |
|
North Munster Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford |
€2.28m |
|
South Connacht Mayo, Roscommon and Galway |
€1.45m |
|
South Leinster Offaly, Laois, Carlow, Wicklow, Kilkenny and Wexford |
€2.1m |
|
South Munster Kerry and Cork |
€2m |
|
TOTALS |
€17.1m |
*Provisional figures - final budget allocation confirmed by CIB in mid-February to MABS companies based on final submissions by companies to CIB.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
