06/01/2010
New Year Debt Advice Office Opens
A new additional face-to-face debt advice service for Northern Ireland has opened this week.
Backed by Ulster Bank, it saw NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster launch the service, Debt Action NI, with a £825,000 contract being awarded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI), to complement the existing face-to-face debt advice service already being funded.
It will give particular support to those areas and sectors of society which are disadvantaged in their access to advice services and expands DETI's free debt advice service to Armagh, Ballymena, Cookstown, Downpatrick, Limavady, Lisburn, Magherafelt, Moyle and Strabane.
Minister Arlene Foster said: "In these times of increased financial difficulty, my Department wants to help those consumers in greatest need.
"This investment will supplement the valuable work that is already being done and will give people greater access to free, face-to-face debt advice across Northern Ireland.
"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."
The Minister concluded: "I would like to congratulate Advice NI and their participating member organisations for getting the service, Debt Action NI, up and running in such a short period of time and wish them every success with this project."
The new debt advice service will run until 31 March, 2011. It will be funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to the sum of £525,000 and the Ulster Bank has provided £300,000.
Mike Bamber, Chief Executive of Ulster Bank's Retail Markets Division said: "Ulster Bank's priorities are closely linked with those of our 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," he said.
(BMcC/GK)
Backed by Ulster Bank, it saw NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster launch the service, Debt Action NI, with a £825,000 contract being awarded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI), to complement the existing face-to-face debt advice service already being funded.
It will give particular support to those areas and sectors of society which are disadvantaged in their access to advice services and expands DETI's free debt advice service to Armagh, Ballymena, Cookstown, Downpatrick, Limavady, Lisburn, Magherafelt, Moyle and Strabane.
Minister Arlene Foster said: "In these times of increased financial difficulty, my Department wants to help those consumers in greatest need.
"This investment will supplement the valuable work that is already being done and will give people greater access to free, face-to-face debt advice across Northern Ireland.
"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."
The Minister concluded: "I would like to congratulate Advice NI and their participating member organisations for getting the service, Debt Action NI, up and running in such a short period of time and wish them every success with this project."
The new debt advice service will run until 31 March, 2011. It will be funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to the sum of £525,000 and the Ulster Bank has provided £300,000.
Mike Bamber, Chief Executive of Ulster Bank's Retail Markets Division said: "Ulster Bank's priorities are closely linked with those of our 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," he said.
(BMcC/GK)
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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.
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.
18 January 2013
NI Debt Service Launched
A new debt advice service has been launched across Northern Ireland by Advice NI. The new service follows a £2.5m award from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. The integrated debt advice, Debt Action NI, service will run until 2015.
NI Debt Service Launched
A new debt advice service has been launched across Northern Ireland by Advice NI. The new service follows a £2.5m award from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. The integrated debt advice, Debt Action NI, service will run until 2015.
14 January 2009
Citizens' Advice Deals With Debts
Credit cards, personal loans and bank loans are foremost in the work of a government-backed debt advice service. At this 'fag-end' of the year - when pre-Christmas excesses begin to bite on finances - debt advice funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment is said to be helping the most vulnerable in Northern Ireland society.
Citizens' Advice Deals With Debts
Credit cards, personal loans and bank loans are foremost in the work of a government-backed debt advice service. At this 'fag-end' of the year - when pre-Christmas excesses begin to bite on finances - debt advice funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment is said to be helping the most vulnerable in Northern Ireland society.
30 January 2024
Groundhog Day: Advice NI Urges Households To Seek Support As 'Heat Or Eat' Conundrum Continues
NI's largest advice charity dealt with 4,062 cases and £43.4 million in household debt during 2023 As Groundhog Day approaches, Advice NI is encouraging households to seek financial advice and free themselves from the seemingly never-ending cycle of debt.
Groundhog Day: Advice NI Urges Households To Seek Support As 'Heat Or Eat' Conundrum Continues
NI's largest advice charity dealt with 4,062 cases and £43.4 million in household debt during 2023 As Groundhog Day approaches, Advice NI is encouraging households to seek financial advice and free themselves from the seemingly never-ending cycle of debt.
15 December 2022
New NI Debt Respite Scheme Under Consideration
The Department for Communities has issued a call for evidence to explore the establishment of a debt respite scheme in Northern Ireland. The primary aim of the pre-consultation is to build on evidence already gathered and source further insight from the debt advice sector, creditors and individuals on the scale of problem debt locally.
New NI Debt Respite Scheme Under Consideration
The Department for Communities has issued a call for evidence to explore the establishment of a debt respite scheme in Northern Ireland. The primary aim of the pre-consultation is to build on evidence already gathered and source further insight from the debt advice sector, creditors and individuals on the scale of problem debt locally.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.