Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I reiterate a call I made some weeks ago for an early debate on the code of conduct on mortgage arrears. It is obvious to most Members that the behaviour of banks has been nothing short of disgraceful. The lack of transparency in which banks are engaged in dealing with customers beggars belief. All of us in the House have had occasion to intervene on behalf of people who are in mortgage arrears. The attitude within banks that they will move forward, irrespective of the cost to the ordinary man on the street who is in mortgage arrears, needs to be brought out into the open and the lack of independent advice that is available to such people which would put him or her on an equal footing when negotiating with a financial institution must be taken on board as a matter of urgency.

I seek the indulgence of the Cathaoirleach to draw another matter to the attention of the House. I am proud of the fact that the Government passed the constitutional referendum on children's rights. Recently, it has come to my attention that it is the practice where an application is made for rent supplement and one parent has sole custody of a child, rent supplement will only be given to the parent who has sole custody in order that the children will be housed with that parent. As it is a human right for children to have a full family relationship with both parents, that means that the parent who does not have sole custody needs accommodation where the child can spend the weekend with that parent and not, as happens, outside what would be regarded as a proper family home. I ask the Leader to bring this issue to the attention of the Minister for Social Protection as it needs to be dealt with as a matter of urgency.