Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

The Leader of the Opposition, Senator Darragh O'Brien, as well as Senators Fidelma Healy Eames, Aideen Hayden, Catherine Noone, Paul Coghlan and others raised the question of mortgage arrears. As Senator Darragh O'Brien mentioned, the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, was in the House last week. There is no doubt that rising mortgage arrears present the biggest challenge to the Government and Ireland and that we must put in place a new framework of laws and banking practices to give as many families as possible the opportunity and the incentive to work their way out of their debt difficulties while staying in their homes. That is what everybody in the House wants. With that in mind, the Government has taken a number of actions to help families. It has increased mortgage interest relief for those who bought their first home at the height of the boom and are, therefore, most vulnerable to mortgage debt distress. It has increased the budget for mortgage interest supplement to help those who have lost their jobs with their mortgage repayments. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Housing Agency have been working with the banks to roll out the mortgage-to-rent initiative which is under way, but I agree that much more needs to be done. The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have stated there has not been as much progress as they would have liked. As a result and as I informed the House previously, the Taoiseach has set up a Cabinet sub-committee on mortgage arrears to bring a new focus to the issue and drive further action on it. The Cabinet sub-committee has met four times to date to oversee implementation of a series of additional measures. The Personal Insolvency Bill to encourage banks to give borrowers a real chance to work their way out of their debt problems will be published by the end of June. The Minister for Justice and Equality has also indicated that he intends to commence Second Stage of the Bill before the summer recess. The Government will ensure the banks introduce, with Central Bank oversight, a range of new solutions, including split mortgages, to deal with genuinely distressed mortgage holders, with a determined distinction between those who cannot pay and those will not pay, as Senator Hayden mentioned. These will be set out in the new mortgage arrears resolution strategies that are being finalised with each mortgage lender. The Central Bank is engaging with these new banks. The Government is not standing idly by on this issue. The Government is acting firmly, and I will inquire whether the Minister for Finance is able to come to the House at a later stage to discuss the issue. We had a discussion on it only last week, but I will inquire whether the Minister will come in personally to deal with the same subject.

Senator Bacik called for a debate on the rights of children and young people, as well as a debate on third level education and youth unemployment. Senator Van Turnhout and others spoke about the lack of government support for Childline, which carries out such important work in Ireland. We will invite the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in here to address these issues. She has been to the House on several occasions and I am sure she will accede to that request in early course.

Senator Mullen and other Members spoke about elder abuse and called for a debate on the issue. We have a debate programmed for 13 June, when the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, will come to the House to discuss the public consultation report which we embarked upon. It was a very fine report and Members will have an opportunity to address this report and to deal with elder abuse and the issue of ageism, which was raised by Senator Sheahan. There will be an opportunity on 13 June to discuss all these items with the Minister of State, who has agreed to come into the House.

Senator Brennan congratulated our sporting heroes, Katie Taylor and Rob Kearney. I am sure we would all like to congratulate them.

Senator Leyden spoke about Custume Barracks in Athlone and welcomed the launch of the air ambulance service for the west at the barracks. As he a motion on the Adjournment on the subject, I do not propose to respond further on the matter.

Senator Harte raised the issue of mobile phone roaming charges during the European championships. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport will be here on Thursday to deal with the capital programme, but I am sure the Senator will get the opportunity to raise that issue as well. Senator Norris called for a debate on the economy. We will try to get the Minister for Finance in soon to discuss that.