17 July 2006

Citizens Advice to provide debt guidance

Citizens Advice in Northern Ireland has been awarded a debt advice contract by the government.

Minister Maria Eagle said: "Debt in Northern Ireland is having an adverse economic, social and personal impact on the lives of many people here. This new debt advice contract will help clients to regain control of their financial affairs.

"The Citizens Advice is ideally placed to provide debt advice to people across Northern Ireland. They will place particular emphasis on one-to-one debt advice in areas where consumers have limited access to this kind of help and assistance."

The Government has provided £800,000 over two years to place advisers in Belfast, Londonderry, Antrim, Newry, Enniskillen, Coleraine and Lurgan/Portadown.

With the assistance of DSD, DETI ran a pilot scheme (beginning April 2005), providing money advice through the voluntary sector networks.

This scheme ended on 31 March 2006. During the pilot scheme, some 160 new clients were serviced each month, and over £10,000,000 of consumer debt was handled.

(SP/KMcA)