Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I recognise and share the concern of the Deputy, as every Member does. I reassure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring as far as possible that people remain in their family homes. While I note that the Deputy is calling for an increase in the numbers using the scheme, my hope is that people's circumstances improve so that they do not end up having to make an application. After all, it is one of the last resorts. It is the scheme to which people are referred when every other avenue of negotiation or resolution has been examined. I accept the concern about the process and the number of people qualifying, but as people's circumstances and the economy improve, fewer will apply to the scheme.

The main barriers to people getting full approval and sign-off have included the process. It is recognised that it was quite complex. A number of valuations, property surveys and condition surveys were required. That has been streamlined since June this year, whereby there is one independent valuation, which will speed matters up. We must also take account of the eligibility criteria of the scheme, which are onerous and a last resort for many.

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