Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Section 11 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2013 amended section 198 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 to provide for the closure of the mortgage interest supplement scheme to new entrants in January 2014 and the cessation of the scheme by the end of 2017. The scheme was introduced in the context of the recession, particularly for people who may fall very ill for short periods, and it was taken away. This has had an impact on people who are being put into difficult situations and has prompted concern among FLAC and Community Law and Mediation, which are seeking the restoration of the scheme for short-term mortgage arrears problems. Single Parents Acting for the Rights of Kids, SPARK, also raised the issue with us at a committee meeting. SPARK also raised its particular concern about the risk of homelessness caused by the cessation of the mortgage interest supplement scheme for one-parent families. If a lone parent is absent from work for a long period due to illness and cannot access other mortgage relief, mortgage interest supplement plays a very important role. Obviously, the supplement does not apply to the capital. These are the reasons I tabled the amendment and sought that report from the Minister.