Tag Archives: MABS

Business/Property, News

Paddy Kevane Becomes Chairperson Of South Munster MABS

.
Paddy Kevane.

SOUTH Munster Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) have today announced Paddy Kevane as its new Chairperson.

Paddy, who is a Job Coach with Employability Service Kerry and Assistant Lecturer in Social Care, will replace Chair Stella O’Sullivan who is stepping down due to busy work commitments, with immediate effect.

Paddy joined the South Munster MABS committee in June 2021 and has been an active member since. As well as MABS, Paddy has also been highly involved in other initiatives, including St. Vincent De Paul, Meals on Wheels Tralee and FoodShare Kerry.

Continued below…

.

Ursula Collins, Regional Manager, South Munster MABS said; “we are delighted that Paddy was able to step in as Chair. Having worked with him for the past 18 months on the committee, we are confident he will be a great fit for the role and we look forward to working with him.

Paddy said; “MABS do incredibly important work, and I am honoured to take the role of Chair for South Munster MABS. I would like to thank Stella O’Sullivan, who has been a fantastic chair since I started my work with MABS. I am looking forward to continuing the great work alongside my fellow committee members”.

South Munster MABS offers support to those experiencing debt in a number of areas including mortgage arrears, bank loans, overdrafts, utilities and credit cards for over 30 years.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

News

Kerry MABS Sees Increase In People Contacting Them About Rent Concerns

.

SOUTH Munster MABS (Money and Budgeting Advice Service) are already seeing an increase in people contacting them concerned about covering their rent.

Daft recently released their latest survey results which revealed that renters in Kerry are now paying an average of €1,200 – a 10% increase on last year.

Spokesperson Eamonn Foley, Area Manager for MABS Kerry, said: “The renting crisis is very real, and a real source of stress for many.”

Continued below…

.

“For those who are worried about the ongoing rent crisis, we would work with them to create a budget, taking a full financial picture, with the aim of streamlining payment plans of current debts, and where savings, however small, can be made.

“If they are already in arrears, we can help here too by supporting them to create a clear and straightforward payment plan and can help them by acting as their representative and can lobby services on your behalf. The most important thing is that you come to us sooner rather than later, we are here to help you without judgement, for free and in confidence, online or in person,” said Eamonn.

MABS can be reached by phone on , 0818 07 2000, in person by calling into a local MABS office, see www.mabs.ie for more.

.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

News

New Kerry MABS Office Opens In Tralee

.
Stella O’Sullivan MABS , Jimmy Moloney Mayor of Kerry , Eamonn Foley and Ursula Collins of MABS pictured at the official opening of the new Kerry MABS office in Liber House, Monavalley Industrial Estate in Tralee. MABS – The Money Advice and Budgeting Service provides a free and confidential service to those who are experiencing problems with money management and debt. Photo: Domnick Walsh

KERRY MABS, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service has officially opened its new Tralee office in Liber House, Monavalley Industrial Estate in Tralee. The new office was opened by the Mayor of Kerry, Cllr. Jimmy Moloney.

From their new office in Libre House, Kerry MABS will continue to support the people of Kerry, providing a free and confidential service to those who are experiencing problems with money management and debt.

The team of money advisers at Kerry MABS will provide advice and practical help to people in order to tackle their debts, deal with their creditors and work out solutions. MABS offers support online, over the phone and face to face.

Continued below…

.

Speaking at the official opening,  Ursula Collins, Regional Manager, South Munster MABS said; “We are delighted to mark the opening of our new office here in Tralee, where we can continue to provide the people of Kerry with the help and support they require when it comes to managing debt, be that over the phone, online and in person.

“Here at MABS, we have been helping people to deal with debt for the past 30 years and we encourage those who are finding themselves in financial difficulty to reach out and take that first step to gain control of their debt.”

MABS supports those experiencing debt in a number of areas including mortgage arrears, bank loans, overdrafts, utilities and credit cards. Their teams will support clients to maximise their income from budgeting, advice on negotiating with creditors and much more.

Eamonn Foley, Coordinator, Kerry MABS said; “The services we provide here in Kerry MABS are hugely important to help support the public in better managing their finances. With the cost of living continuing to rise, we are seeing an increase in the number of people requiring our services and support.”

“These increased costs are not matched by an increase in income and puts a lot of strain on individuals and families. We do encourage anyone who is concerned about their finances to come and speak with us as you do not already have to be in debt to avail of our services. Our new office here in Liber House allows us to expand our services now, and for future years here in Tralee. ”

For more information on the services provided by MABS, visit www.mabs.ie. To contact Kerry MABS, you can email them at kerry@mabs.ie or call them on 0818 07 2190.

News

MABS And Credit Union Combine To Keep Moneylenders Away This Christmas

CH Chem Shiseido 2
.
Credit Union 1
Credit Union and MABS have got together for a campaign to keep moneylenders at bay this Christmas.

WHILE Christmas is just around the corner and it’s a wonderful time for many families, it can also be a time of stress and financial strain.

Chapter 23 Kerry Credit Unions has teamed up with independent financial advisory organisation MABS (Money Advice and Budgeting Service) to produce their “Keep the Wolves from the Door” a Christmas Survival Guide.

“Our keep the wolves from the door Christmas survival guide offers top tips for Christmas shopping from setting price limits on presents or Kris Kringle, to setting a realistic Christmas budget,” said Chapter 23 Credit Unions Marketing Committee spokesperson Suzanne Ennis.

Continued below…

Crag Cave Santa 1
.

“It highlights the different source of credit available from moneylenders, personal loans, credit card debt and high interest store credit. In particular, the guide shows the very high rates of interest being charged by Moneylenders (Doorstep Credit). The guide shows exactly what savings can be made with a credit union loan versus a loan from a moneylender where you can pay up to €120/€140 less on a €500 loan with your credit union”.

Suzanne added; “As most credit unions accept social welfare, access to credit union loans is open to everyone so there is no reason for anyone to be paying moneylenders high interest rates. A lot of credit unions have signed up to the “It makes sense loan” scheme directly to combat moneylenders in their area and access credit union loans as an alternative source of credit with loan repayments coming from Social Welfare either directly or through the An Post Household Budget Scheme.”

Jerry Doyle, Kerry MABS Co-Ordinator said they are delighted to be working with the credit unions on the campaign.

“MABS is a government funded service but operate independently of government departments, the HSE, credit unions, banks, etc. This is a very important as we offer a free, independent and confidential service to those who approach us seeking financial and budgeting advice. It’s been a busy year for MABS, in Kerry this year we have seen an increase in supports for those who are over-indebted and struggling to meet repayments as they fall due. As an example for those in arrears with their home loan repayments and facing possible loss of the family home we now have a free, confidential and independent MABS Dedicated Mortgage Arrears Service. There are a number of other supports available through MABS to assist those who are in debt, which they cannot afford to meet repayments on, so the message is to contact MABS if you cannot resolve the financial problem directly with your lender,” he concluded.

Copies of the guide are available at your credit union and with MABS and in local shops and businesses throughout your community.