Mabs sees 70% rise in demand

Demand for the services of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (Mabs) from people in financial difficulties has risen over 70% since the recession started.

However, new figures show there has only been a 13% increase in staff working with Mabs to cater for the huge rise in numbers of people in debt seeking help.

The number of people availing of Mabs services jumped to 26,162 in 2012 compared to 15,377 in 2007 — an increase of 70%.