In 2013, the Citizens Information Board provided funding (through the Social Policy Grant scheme) to Co Wicklow Citizens Information Service to research the information, advice and advocacy needs of older people in County Wicklow. The report Information in Transition: The information, advice and advocacy needs of older people in the technology and information age sought to establish what types of information older people in County Wicklow are looking for, how they access this information and who they look to for support in both accessing and acting on this information. Although focussed on older people in County Wicklow, the research has broader relevance for agencies and personnel who are working with marginalised, or hard-to-reach, older people and can help to inform the delivery of services in an age-friendly manner to this group.

A Report prepared by MABS National Development Limited (MABS ndl) for the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, based on a sample of almost 6,000 cases was published today. The Report found that this group is primarily made up of households with children, located in urban areas and headed by people between the ages of 41 and 65. Furthermore, clients of the State's Money Advice and Budgeting Service experiencing difficulty with their mortgage were more likely to be unemployed, have multiple debts in addition to the mortgage, and be mortgaged to a mainstream lender. The Report, which underlines the need for a holistic, consumer-focused approach towards the whole area of consumer debt, makes further recommendations in relation to the resolution of the personal debt crisis.

Citizens Information Services have seen a substantial increase in the number of self-employed people using their services. MABS also reports growing problems of indebtedness, difficulties in accessing credit and subsequent inability to meet loan and mortgage payments amongst self-employed people. Feedback and case studies from both services have informed the new social policy report.