More than 3,300 households in serious mortgage arrears have been spared the loss of their homes with the help of the Abhaile scheme.

The Citizens Information Board believes a ruling that three tenants suffered discrimination by being refused access to the housing assistance payment (HAP) will deter other landlords from seeking to shy away from the scheme.

The holders of the purse-strings for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (Mabs) have been slammed for their “penny pinching” and ‘miserly’ leap year reduction on frontline workers.

Centres for people with intellectual disabilities need to be opened up to checks on resident care by independent advocates, a support organisation has said.

The Government in considering a plan to allow credit unions provide emergency loans to people who have lost their credit rating in a move that may cut reliance on moneylenders.

The Government is flouting its rules on appointments to state boards, with more than two-thirds of positions filled without being advertised.

A website provided by the Citizens Information Board for people finding it difficult to pay their mortgage or rent saw a 78% increase in visits last year.

The Government is continuing to break its own rules on appointments to state boards, with the majority of positions filled by people selected by ministers without going through a public advertisement process.

There is a powerful whiff of hypocrisy behind today’s shocking report showing the Government is shamelessly ignoring its own rules on appointments to state boards.

HERE are three vignettes from the frontline. The first involves a friend who works in ‘job activation’ in the greater Cork area. He said last week he’s frustrated at the attitude of some people, mainly young, when he proposes they accept a so-called pathway to work.

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has played down a report by a department agency which suggests that welfare traps are leaving people stuck on government benefits.

A new report launched by the Citizens Information Board claims people are becoming victims of a string of "welfare traps" which are incentivising people not to work.

People who cannot meet mortgage repayments and who have been offered new repayment deals by their bank could now be eligible for a free session with an independent accountant.

The majority of appointments to state boards in the past year were made by ministers without being advertised, despite Government promises to the contrary.

MORE than 17,500 people in financial distress contacted the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) during the first nine months of this year.

Kerry TD Michael Healy Rae has said he has no intention of giving up a state board position on the Citizens Information Board.

A NEW national advocacy service for people with disabilities is giving a voice to vulnerable people with disabilities.

A new National Advocacy Service for people with disabilities will be rolled out in January.

A new resource pack is being launched today to highlight rights and entitlements for young people.

Access to transport, particularly in rural areas, is a huge problem for many people around the country according to a new report today.

IRELAND’S economic downturn has resulted in a surge in the number of people looking for information and support about social welfare and employment rights from Citizens Information.

The number of people seeking information and support from the Citizens Information Board about social welfare and employment rights issues continues to rise, with a 24% increase in callers in the first six months of the year, according to the organisation's annual report published today.

RECKLESS lending which has left thousands in debt and seriously damaged the economy should be curbed through tough new consumer codes and laws, a new report has recommended.

RECKLESS lending which has left thousands in debt and seriously damaged the economy should be curbed through tough new consumer codes and laws, a new report has recommended.

IN A long line of government white elephants, tens of millions of euro in taxpayers’ money have once again been shamefully squandered.

A MONEY advice helpline set up just over a year ago has received more than 10,000 calls.

THE slashing of 41 State agencies will be a “first installment” in a long term plan of reducing so-called quangos, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said last night.

A long-delayed inquiry into the tragic deaths of a family of four in their Co Wexford home was today received by two Government ministers.

An inquiry into the deaths of a family of four in their Co Wexford home last year has been delayed – for the third time.

AN ADVOCACY project aimed at helping people with disabilities claim their entitlements, access services and have their voices heard was launched yesterday in Waterford.

WHEN Neil Ryan joined the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) as its IT manager in May 2003, he may have given the impression that he had more qualifications than he actually did.

NEW legislation is to be brought before the Dáil next week to create a customer-friendly information service for people seeking social services, it was revealed yesterday.

Social and Family Affairs Minister Seamus Brennan has published a new bill aimed at overhauling citizens information services.