MABS office closures
Deputy Collins raised concerns that MABS offices in Dublin 8 and Crumlin were being closed and relocated, apparently without notice to Deputies. The Taoiseach said he would seek an evaluation of the restructuring, contact MABS for its rationale, and could not intervene in every operational decision.
The Taoiseach will be aware that, during the previous Dáil, the Government supported the restructuring of the Money Advice & Budgeting Service, MABS, and the Citizens Information Board. This was very contentious and opposed by many Deputies. I heard this morning that two MABS offices - on Francis Street in Dublin 8 and in Crumlin - have been told that they will be closed from Friday and will have to move to Tallaght. Moving what are important services for people out of their areas is serious. Do other Deputies know whether the same is happening in their areas? We did not have a clue that this was happening. I would like the Taoiseach to intervene and find out what is going on with local MABS services or could the relevant Minister check this out? It is outrageous.
Comment on this
First, I would like to get an evaluation of how that structural change of MABS has worked out in terms of broader services generally. I have got different feedback since it happened. Some was positive when I met in an informal way earlier in the year some people involved in the service.
I cannot get involved in every operational decision of agencies under specific Departments. We will contact MABS to ascertain its rationale for this action and what the intention is.
