Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am not aware when it will be published. A great deal of work is going on in this area and it will require further consideration of other possible measures. It will be in addition to the code of conduct on mortgage arrears we brought forward. We also provided additional staff to the money advice and budgeting service, MABS. Some €64 million has been provided for the mortgage interest supplement scheme in 2010, which will assist more than 16,000 people this year. These measures have ensured that home repossession levels in Ireland remain very low and mostly involved sub-prime lenders.

The review group to look at solutions to the longer term problem is engaged and an initial report is due to the Government very shortly. The review group has met many interested parties and has come up with some practical and creative options but we must ensure that direct procedures are in place so that everybody is treated fairly.

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