Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

We have a structure which has been developed. However, one knows from talking to people that there is still a belief there is not enough engagement by the lenders. The mortgage arrears resolution process is to help lenders. I refer in particular to the work done by people in the MABS offices. Obviously, the mortgage, the roof over people's heads, is the most important element and the Government is seeking to ensure that remains the case. Why should the Department of Social Protection pay out large volumes of interest to lenders unless the lenders are engaging in the process? Engaging in a process is really helpful to people who are in debt. The authorised people in MABS are doing that and very detailed arrangements are being developed, particularly by my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter. This should significantly improve and strengthen the process of helping people who, unfortunately, are in difficulty with their mortgage and whose lender must engage, for all the reasons different Deputies have mentioned. The lender has to engage with the process.

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