EXTRA STAFF are being assigned to Money Advice and Budgeting Service (Mabs) offices to help cope with a surge in demand from people trying to repay their debts.
A total of 19 offices will get extra temporary staff to help deal with a backlog of applications for assistance.
In the first half of this year, almost 10,000 new clients were seen by Mabs staff, with a further 1,600 seeking information about budgeting and money management from local services, according to official figures.
The average debt owed by new clients when they first came to the service was in the region of €15,000.
While it had traditionally been frequented by people in lower-paid jobs or from disadvantaged areas, Mabs officials say there has been a significant increase in numbers from middle-class backgrounds in more recent times.
The majority (65 per cent) of people in contact with Mabs owe money to banks or financial institutions, while significant numbers owe money to credit unions (16 per cent). Much smaller numbers relate to utilities bills, debt collection agencies or moneylenders.
Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin said yesterday she had received Department of Finance approval for the additional posts. This will see five of the busiest urban offices each getting a full-time temporary post, while 14 other offices with increasing case loads will get an additional half-time temporary post.
“We are seeing many more people across the country experiencing financial difficulties – whether they have lost their job or been put on reduced working hours or have taken a reduction in pay. In the past year, there has been a substantial increase in the number of new clients approaching the Mabs service,” Ms Hanafin said.
“All the staff working as money advisers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, bringing invaluable expertise with them.”
She said money advisers have a unique mix of skills, experience and knowledge – ranging from personal and counselling skills, and knowledge of relevant legislation to understanding of debt types and solutions. They also have detailed knowledge of legal issues relating to both contracts and debts as well as a detailed understanding of the social welfare system, she added.
The additional cost of the staff – which will be contracted for up to two years – will be met by efficiencies achieved within the organisation. The five urban offices are Waterford, Bray, Limerick, Tallaght and Ballyfermot.
The 14 offices with half-time posts are Cork (city and east county), north Galway, Dublin northeast, Kildare, Blanchardstown, north Tipperary, west Cork, Arklow, Laois, Fingal, Dún Laoghaire, Carlow, south Galway (including Galway city) and Ballymun.
There are 53 Mabs services operating in 65 locations around the country and they all provide a face-to face service. In addition, Mabs operates a helpline (1890-283438) and an online money management facility.
