Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 535: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the protections available to local authority mortgage holders who are having difficulty making their repayments due to the current economic climate; the further measures he will implement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8014/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Provisions regarding lending by local authorities for the purposes of house purchase are set out in section 11 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. Where a loan stands in default, section 11(10) provides that a local authority may make such monetary arrangements with a borrower as they consider equitable to take account of the particular circumstances of the borrower.

However, it is important that households facing difficulties are treated fairly and consistently across all local authority areas. In that regard, my Department is developing guidance to ensure that cases of local authority mortgage arrears are handled in a manner that is sympathetic to the needs of the particular household, while also protecting the position of the local authority concerned.