Katherine Zappone (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is always a pleasure to follow Senator Coghlan. I was interested to read this week our Taoiseach's opinion piece where he said in The Irish Times that "while we are moving in the right direction, too many of our people have yet to feel the recovery in their own lives". He then went to discuss the issue of jobs as that is a critical theme for the Government at this stage. While we have had a debate about jobs, I would suggest that people want financial justice and jobs. This would mean the lower paid getting a living wage, as the Minister for Social Protection also identified in terms of priorities this week, so that at some point we no longer have lower paid jobs but living wage jobs; more middle-income jobs, which are being hollowed out; and jobs at the higher end where there is more income and equality. That would be financial justice.

Our people want financial well-being as well and my question to the Deputy Leader relates to that. I want to raise the continuing lack of financial and legal assistance and support to people trying to negotiate with banks in respect of their mortgage debts. Unless people have the assistance of MABS or various not-for-profit advocacy services, there is no assistance available until after the lender has made an offer. At that stage, the lenders fund a service whereby people can get information from an accountant but only on that particular offer and its implications. The Free Legal Advice Centres service has said for some time that this is an ineffective approach. People need consistent support in respect of their legal and financial situation as they are going through the negotiation process with the lender. The Department of Social Protection set up a working group to assess independent financial advice services and whether they are meeting its objectives. Consultation took place and a report was published. When it was published, stakeholders who had input into the review of the service attended a seminar. The Minister announced important changes at the seminar, which are to be welcomed. Under these changes, people will have access to advice at the beginning of the process when they are filing their financial statement. The Minister also announced that legal and financial advice would be provided to people at risk of losing their homes. I ask the Deputy Leader to ask the Minister about the implementation of these changes. I understand that negotiations with the various advisory bodies and lenders are only beginning. What resources are being put into these changes? Are they being given priority?