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.

Fiona Magee, Deputy Chief Executive of Advice NI, said the most common type of debt was credit card debt, followed by personal loans, catalogue debt and overdrafts.

She said another major problem for people is owing money to lots of different creditors.

"For a growing number of people, crippling debt is becoming a major, life defining issue," she remarked.

"The Debt Action NI service aims to make getting on top of debt a much more straight-forward and achievable process. We can help by providing advice and support on managing repayments, negotiating with creditors and assisting at court."

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster officially launched the service. She said: "The addition of web-based delivery of debt advice is a welcome innovation, bringing the service to a larger client base and using technology to make optimum use of limited resources. The telephone and web-based services will never be the only routes to advice, but they are a growing part of the debt remedy jigsaw. This new service will ensure each client is able to receive support through the delivery channel that is most closely aligned to their needs."

Fiona Magee said the timing of the launch was appropriate, considering the post-Christmas credit card bills which many people will be receiving.

Debt Action NI says one client had two credit cards and saw his debt spiral from £7,000 to £15,000, with interest rising from 13% to 40%.

The client was made redundant and eventually had a mental breakdown.

He said: "The debt amongst other things nearly destroyed my life. The help Debt Action NI gave me turned my life around. The adviser dealt with my case with sympathy and urgency."

(IT)