Debt Action NI
Enterprise Minister launches New Debt Advice Service
A new face-to-face debt advice service is aimed at extending the facilities available to those in need across Northern Ireland.
Announcing an £825,000 contract from her department to fund Debt Action NI, she said the new service would complement existing debt advice services, reaching into areas and sectors of society where they had not previous been available.
The free service will now extend to Armagh, Ballymena, Cookstown, Downpatrick, Limavady, Lisburn, Magherafelt, Moyle and Strabane.
“In these times of increased financial difficulty, my department wants to help those consumers in greatest need,” said Mrs Foster.
“Advice will be available in neutral surroundings, on a wide range of issues including debt, benefits, housing, tax, employment and consumer issues.”
“The 16 additional debt advisors will help to ensure assistance is available to those in financial difficulty at the earliest opportunity.”
Congratulating Advice NI and their participating member organisations for getting the service up and running quickly, the Minister acknowledged the contribution of £300,000 to the project from the Ulster Bank.
Mike Bamber, Chief Executive of the bank’s retail markets division, said its priorities were closely linked with its customers.
“Today, many households are coping with reduced incomes to service the same debts as previously. That demands of us a range of solutions to help people get through this recession including financial and non-financial support for the provision of debt advice.”
The £825,000 sum is in addition to a three-year contract worth £400,000 a year with Citizens advice to deliver face to face debt advice and a two-year contract at £200,000 a year with Advice4debtNI to deliver a telephone debt advice service.
Advice NI is registered as a company limited by guarantee in Northern Ireland (NI071966) and is registered as a charity for tax purposes with the Inland Revenue