Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide details on the review of the mortgage interest supplement scheme; the changes that are envisaged under this review; if he will publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28456/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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There are 16,800 people in receipt of mortgage interest supplement this month, compared to 8,091 in 2008. Expenditure for the year ending December 2009 was €60.7 million, and the Estimate for 2010 is €63.9 million. The mortgage interest supplement scheme is currently under review. The main purpose of this review is to examine how the scheme can best meet its objective of catering for those who require assistance on a short-term basis. The review group includes representatives from my Department, the community welfare service, Department of Finance, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and the Office of the Financial Regulator.

As part of the initial review, guidelines on specific and immediate operational issues were drawn up and circulated to the community welfare officers. These guidelines are available on the Department's website. The group is examining trends in programme and administrative costs, the impact of the Financial Regulator's statutory code of practice on mortgage arrears and legislative and operational issues arising. The review is also considering whether alternative approaches to achieving the scheme's objectives are warranted in light of recent changes in the economic climate and the mortgage market.

More recently, the Government has established a broader and more comprehensive review of mortgage arrears and personal debt. The mortgage arrears and personal debt review group, under the independent chairmanship of Mr. Hugh Cooney, comprises representatives from my Department, the Department of Finance, Department of the Taoiseach, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. In addition, the group has representatives from the Office of the Financial Regulator, the ESRI, the Irish Banking Federation, the Free Legal Advice Centres and the Law Reform Commission.

The terms of reference for the group are based on the renewed programme for Government, with an emphasis on protecting the family home. They include a review of the statutory code of conduct on mortgage arrears and the recently agreed protocol between the Irish Banking Federation and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service on debt default, with a view to expanding the options available for dealing with debt situations in order to avoid foreclosure. In addition, the group is examining measures adopted in other jurisdictions and considering ways of expanding existing mortgage support measures. I understand the group will report to the Minister for Finance in the coming weeks.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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As I understand it, the Cooney group was due to report to the Minister by tomorrow. On behalf of the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs, the Minister's colleague, Deputy Thomas Byrne, and I met with the Cooney group to discuss this issue. I have a concern in that whatever decisions the group reaches, the Minister's Department is solely responsible for the operation of the mortgage interest supplement scheme. The departmental review of this matter, which I understand is to be published soon, has been ongoing since the Minister's predecessor and her predecessor were in situ. In other words, three Ministers have overseen a review that has not as yet produced a report. Has any such report been completed and has it been seen by the Cooney group? It is difficult to see how the latter can come to any decisions without having at its disposal practical information as to the application, whether good or bad, of the mortgage interest supplement scheme. Has the group looked at the inconsistencies in the application of the scheme throughout the State? Colleagues and I are aware that different decisions are being made in different areas.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Given that there is a significant overlap in departmental representation on both groups, the two reports will have to be brought forward together. As I said, there will be a separate departmental report on the mortgage interest supplement scheme, but that must mesh in with the work of the Cooney group. I expect both reports to be published at approximately the same time, as the same departmental staff are involved in both. I have spoken to Mr. Cooney about this issue and am in constant contact with my officials. I hope this matter will be progressed in the coming weeks. The Government agrees that decisions are required urgently on this matter.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I appreciate that the reports must be brought to Cabinet, but what type of timeframe are we looking at in terms of getting a response for struggling home owners? They are now worried about the possibility of having to pay a property tax in addition to everything else, especially those who are in negative equity. A report in one of today's newspapers indicated that a decision would be made in October. However, the longer this is let slide, the greater the numbers who will experience hardship and the more difficult it will be to assist those whom it is possible to assist - and there are many such - to keep their homes.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I am not trying to avoid any questions. I have not seen the Cooney report and, as such, am not aware of what delivery mechanisms are proposed, whether they can be implemented immediately or whether there will be a lead-in time. As I said, both reports should be available in the coming weeks and decisions will be made speedily thereafter. I do not know what the complexities of implementation would be but I agree about the urgency of this issue and the importance of saving people's homes where possible. This is different from looking at the mortgage interest supplement on its own because in many cases we are looking at a range of debts, not just the mortgage. Without taking a total view, it is not possible to resolve people's financial issues and that is an important part of the Cooney report.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The community welfare officers are not allowed to take a total view at the moment.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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These are the issues that must be examined. This is where MABS has a big role to play in drawing up financial plans after getting all of the information from clients; if a client only gives half of the information, the problem cannot be solved.