Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he proposes to take to appoint independent mortgage advisors, as referred to in the Keane report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37817/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, progress is already underway in implementing a number of the recommendations of the Inter Department Mortgage Arrears Working Group report. These include the development, initially on a pilot basis, of two mortgage to rent schemes by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, the advancement of personal insolvency law reforms by the Department of Justice and Equality and direct engagement by my Department with banks on the development and implementation of voluntary measures along the lines set out in the report. In addition, following the conclusion of the Dáil debate on the Inter-Department report, I intend to formally put forward proposals to the Government on next steps, including an implementation mechanism to be driven by my Department. One of the important issues to be finalised by Government in such a context is the issue of the provision of an independent mortgage advisory function and the most appropriate arrangements and structural elements associated with the delivery of such a service. This is an important matter and I intend to progress it as expeditiously as possible in consultation with my Government colleagues.