Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for agreeing to examine the issue. Perhaps there might be a report from both the CIB and MABS. The Minister referred to the chief executive, but it should be from those who are directly working with them. They managed to find other arrangements, but the initial service was in place for them. Perhaps it might be extended because there is a difficulty. If there is not an easy pay facility, many find it difficult to make the decisions to pay this or that loan. A person might pay his or her heating bill, but it might be more important in terms of his or her credit worthiness to pay for the caravan and what that entails. I am not making these decisions. Others make the very hard decisions to put food on the table or heat their home, rather than pay a mortgage or a loan such as this. All we are trying to do with a facility such as this is to make it easier to pay and also to be mindful of not putting somebody into extreme poverty. That is part of helping people to manage what little income they have.

I will withdraw the amendment in the hope the issue can be addressed either in legislation or through some other mechanism to allow the spirit of the Lough payment to continue.

See this speech in context