Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Certainly that is the case in respect of the business model David Hall and his associates have put in place. However, whether that is the case for the likes of Arizun or Merrion Capital, for example, we are not yet sure and that is because we do not know the detail. As soon as some of that detail is available, the housing committee might be a good place to tease that out. Many of us would like to support a good initiative that allows people to remain in their homes.

There are two other questions in this respect. The first relates to those people in mortgage distress who do not qualify for social housing support under the current legislation and whether the funds may provide an avenue for addressing their long-term housing needs. In addition, the approximately 20,000 buy-to-let properties that are more than 90 days in arrears and which have tenants in them clearly will not benefit from this scheme. Equally, however, if those tenants are in receipt of rent supplement, the local authorities cannot purchase those houses. What is the Government's thinking in terms of how to deal with those two sections of the distressed mortgage market?

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