Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when the local authority mortgage arrears guidance group was established; who is the chairperson of this group; the membership of same; the number of meeting that have been held and the number of reports and conclusions issued; the action being taken as a result of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48574/12]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The mortgage arrears guidance group was convened in early 2010 and is made up of representatives of the local authority sector and my Department. It is chaired by my Department. The group’s remit is to examine trends in local authority mortgage arrears and to devise appropriate responses . To date it has convened on five occasions and as a result of its work revised mortgage arrears guidance issued to local authorities earlier this year. This guidance is closely based on the Central Bank’s most recent code of practice on mortgage arrears which came into effect from 1 January 2011 . As a result of the guidance developed by the group, all local authorities are now implementing a revised Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP). The group continues to work to ensure the smooth roll-out of the guidance and the options set out therein for borrowers.