Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this motion. I will focus on two aspects in the short time available to me. First, the so-called mortgage debt resolution. I will cite an example of a couple of people with whom I am dealing. They entered into the scheme with Ulster Bank in February 2012. They disclosed everything and were eventually offered an interest-only option for 12 months. Unfortunately, matters deteriorated from income and health points of view. Several months ago, they began trying to speak to the bank because the 12 months were just about finished. Despite their best efforts, however, they are being given the run around.

I made inquiries with the Central Bank, which advised that the people in question should make a formal complaint to Ulster Bank. The bank ignored them. I have advised them that they can now complain to the Ombudsman. They are stressed.

Some banks are not acting genuinely in the process. They need to be called out on it. The process is not working.

Second, the issue of those on the housing waiting list. In County Kildare, more than 7,000 people are on the list. The country's six worst councils account for 43% of the national waiting list - the four Dublin local authorities, Cork City Council and Kildare County Council. The bottom six counties account for less than 5% of the national waiting list. A targeted approach to the problem is urgently required. There is no overhang and NAMA does not have properties in most of the areas in question.

Some 4,338 families are in receipt of rent assistance in Kildare, the third highest figure nationally after Dublin and Cork. The levels of rent assistance are so far below the market rents in Kildare, particularly in the towns of north Kildare, which have a Dublin focus, that people are in difficulty. An exception was made for some Wicklow towns, for example, Bray and Greystones, but none has been made for Kildare. As a result, practically everyone is topping up rent from welfare payments. People are going without food and are not paying their utility bills. If they did otherwise, they would face the streets and many would need to take their children out of school.

The Government needs to start taking these issues seriously and producing practical solutions, not spin.

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