The Money Advice and Budget Service

The Money Advice and Budget Service (MABS) provides fantastic support to anyone experiencing problems with debt, personal finances or needing advice on money management.

The main office for the area is located on Main Street in Ballymun (on the second floor beside the new Garda Station). You can contact them on 01 8620059 or by email at ballymun@mabs.ie

For more information on the services they provide, log on to http://www.mabs.ie/ or give me a call on 01 618 3280 if you have any specific queries.

MABS have also launched a great website along with Citizens Information called http://www.keepingyourhome.ie/

It's a one-stop-shop for advice on any mortgage, rent or debt problems you may be experiencing.

As you may be aware, the Programme for Government includes a committment build on the great work MABS is currently going by converting it into a strengthened Personal Debt Management Agency with strong legal powers.

This new agency will further support families who make an honest effort to deal with their debts, including non-mortgage debt, providing protection from their creditors where appropriate, so that they have time to sort out their affairs.

Speaking on Criminal Justice Bill and Justice System Reform

I was delighted to speak on the Criminal Justice Bill in Dáil Éireann on Tuesday 18th April. It is clear that our prison system is facing big problems in terms of the space available, its quality and ultimately its cost to the country.

As I discussed in my speech in the Dáil chamber, we need to look at alternatives to the current system and to provide appropriate punishments for criminal behaviour, but also creating a system that brings more benefits to the wider community.

Listen to the full speech below:

Launching the LIFT Ballymun Youth Arts Festival 2011

 

It was a great pleasure to have been invited to open the annual celebration of youth creativity and culture that is the LIFT Ballymun Youth Arts Festival in the AXIS theatre.

Having lived all my life in the area, I know the great potential that exists in the youth of the communities of Dublin North West. For the past six years this festival has brought this positivity to the fore and, as I mentioned during my speech at the launch, it has helped the AXIS theatre become the heart of the community.

Sometimes teenagers and young adults are overlooked and are not given the credit they deserve but community festivals like this give the public a chance to see what our young people can achieve.

This year’s festival runs from 13th – 20th April 2011 and includes workshops, participation and performing opportunities for young people in a wide variety of art forms including Music, Rap, DJing, printmaking, Theatre, and much more.

I would encourage everybody to make a special effort to go along and enjoy eight days of events that will prove to be unforgettable for the participants, their families and everyone involved.



Some of the artwork on show at the "Starting For Myself" Art Exhibtion on the first day of the festival





Next Meeting of the Apartment Owners Network

The Apartment Owners Network are having their monthly meeting on this Thursday 14th April at 7pm in  the Dublin City Council head offices on Wood Quay. The meeting and membership to the network are open to anyone.  


AON: A forum for residents in new devlopments

I know there are many new estates in Dublin North-West who have been in touch with me regarding issues with management companies or developers.

The Apartment OwnersNetwork organises open meetings for residents of any housing estate or apartment complex and provides great information to people experiencing problems or who feel they need more support in dealing with such companies.

Some estates in the Dublin North-West area, such as Hampton Wood, St. Canice’s Square, Tolka Vale, are already members of the Network and I would encourage other residents' groups to get involved as well.


You will find more information on the Network or directions to the meeting here:

http://www.apartmentowners.ie/2011/04/april-meeting/

You can also sign up to their newsletter on their webpage if you can't make it along to the meeting this time around.