Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)

I thank the Minister for his reply, but he did not answer any of my questions. I referred to the recent media reports that people who were due to get their mortgage interest relief increased to 30% were not getting it. It has also been highlighted that the computer systems of the Revenue Commissioners and those of the various banks are not talking to each other. We had similar problems in the past but they were resolved.

These people cannot afford to wait month by month. They are now being told by the banks and the Revenue Commissioners that it could take two or three months for the problem to be sorted. People throughout the country are struggling for any little help we can give them. I appreciate that the Minister and this Government have done a great deal to help people who are struggling to pay their mortgages but why is there a delay since the Minister announced this in the budget? It is the beginning of February and we are being told these people will have to wait until April. Why is there a breakdown in communications between the Revenue Commissioners and the banks? What is the cost to the State of getting the two systems to work together?

People's opinion of the banks is at a very low ebb, and has been for some time. Why have the banks not implemented the mortgage interest relief?

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