Number of people looking for debt advice doubles

THE number of people ringing the Money and Budgeting Service (MABS) for help with debt and mortgage repayments more than doubled last year, latest figures show.

Figures from the Department of Social and Family Affairs (DSF) show that 24,800 people rang the helpline last year, compared with 11,000 in 2008

A total of 19,000 new clients began using MABS services for the first time last year – an increase of 15% on 2008, when 16,600 new clients signed up to MABS services.