Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the context of the debate on mortgage arrears yesterday and other comments on the issue, there is a need for a publicly-funded financial adviser to provide advice to borrowers in distress at an early stage. Currently borrowers in such circumstances are entitled to have €250 towards an accountant who can have a look at the deal that has been struck with the bank which is too late as far as I am concerned. To a large extent the public is not aware of the €250 fee which is available to accountants. It is better than nothing but we need a publicly-funded adviser who can assist at an early stage. The Money Advice and Budgeting Service is doing a great job in assisting and organising people with debt. Not only does it not have the specific expertise to interact with banks and advise on deals at an early stage but it is inundated with work and unable to deal with this ever-increasing issue. I ask the Deputy Leader to arrange for a debate on this issue in the near future when the Minister for Finance would come to the House, although we debated mortgage arrears yesterday.