Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Mr. McCarthy is saying that in four or five years, 400 cases have been processed but 900 are in the system. We are now back to processing the waiting list. In each year since the scheme was established, how many applications have been made and approved and how many were outstanding at the end of the year? It seems more cases are bogged down in the process than have come out the far end. The scheme has been running for a number of years now. I would have expected difficulties to have been ironed out by now. Last week, we asked the representatives of the various housing bodies whether negative equity arises. The Department needs to know that. I was shocked that the approved housing bodies could not answer the question because they are sitting down with the tenant and the Department. They are paying the money over. If a property is in negative equity, I understand the relevant financial institution can still go after the mortgage holder. Can Mr. McCarthy give a definitive answer on that?