MABS says ‘don’t be put off by the rumours’
LOGISTICAL PROBLEMS BUT HELP ‘ALWAYS AVAILABLE’
THE Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) in Wexford are anxious to dispel the notion that MABS offices are difficult to access because of lengthy waiting lists.
And they have hit out at some reports that ‘gave false hope and very high expectations’ that ‘confuse and distress people feeling real stress because of financial difficulties’.
‘One sad aspect of the frenzy [of stories] has been the impression that MABS offices are difficult to access because of waiting lists. This is not always the case and people are urged not to allow this rumour stop them contacting their MABS office rather than looking for alternatives,’ said MABS Wexford, in a statement.
They said that while they have experienced ‘some logistical problems’ locally in the past year, they have ‘always been and are available’.
‘Our address and telephone number changed. There were some teething problems with this and we hope no one was discouraged by it. Sometimes when all lines are busy it may seen we are not answering - please persist,’ said the statement.
MABS are also keen to stress what they can and cannot do. ‘MABS is not magic. We do not promise the impossible but we guarantee a sympathetic hearing, a professional approach and assistance in dealing with what may seen insurmountable but seldom is,’ they said.
‘MABS will not promise something that no one (banks, government or others) can deliver. We will work with people to devise the best possible plan for dealing with debts. We will not judge and we will give the honest answer to queries, not easy ones, and we will not promise impossible outcomes.’ MABS Wexford said that while they are not touting for business, they do not want people ‘ to feel there is no help or a problem in accessing it’.
They stress that the confidential service they offer is free of charge.
For those in financial difficulty, MABS’ Wexford office is located at 98/100 South Main Street and you can contact them on 0761 072 780 or wexford@mabe.ie.
Alternatively, ring the MABS Helpline on 0761 07 2000 or visit www.mabs.ie.