20-week wait for Mabs appointments in Donegal

People in Co Donegal are having to wait up to 20 weeks for a first appointment with MABS - that means it could be Christmas before they get help.

The Money Advice and Budgeting Service was set up to assist people in financial difficulty - but is overrun with requests in many parts of the country.

The Finance Minister Michael Noonan confirmed that MABS has dealt with 2,000 emergency cases since the start of the year and these cases were fast-tracked.