Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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311. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she has prepared for an increase in demand for services from her Department as a result of upcoming developments such as the Central Bank's updated CCMA, the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill, the targets that have been set for the banks regarding sustainable solutions, or any other developments; the steps that have been taken to deal with any surge in demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33182/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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To assist and support persons who are in mortgage difficulties, the Mortgage Arrears Information and Advice Service (MAIAS) was established in 2012. This service provides comprehensive information and advice to mortgage holders in arrears or pre-arrears in assessing their options. The service has three elements:

- Website: is the key online access portal for general mortgage arrears information and advice.

- Mortgage Arrears Information Helpline (phone 0761 074050): The Helpline provides general mortgage arrears information and signposting in relation to the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears, and other supports available for those in mortgage arrears or pre-arrears. The Helpline operates Monday to Friday from 9am to 5 pm.

- Independent Financial Advice: The third element of the service is the provision of independent financial advice to mortgage holders who are being presented with long term mortgage resolution proposals by their lenders. The advice is provided by a panel of accountants drawn from members of the main accountancy institutes in Ireland. To date, over 2,000 accountants have confirmed to their accounting body that they wish to be part of the panel and their details are available on . The lender will pay €250 to an accountant of the borrowers choice for the provision of this advice.

A protocol for the provision of independent financial advice has been agreed between the main accountancy bodies and the Irish Banking Federation. The protocol was agreed following discussions which were facilitated by the Department of Finance and involved the Department of Social Protection and the Central Bank. The protocol details the scope of financial advice and the operating procedures.

When a lender is proposing long term mortgage resolutions, the lender will advise the borrower to obtain independent financial advice on the proposed arrangement and that, if the borrower wishes to avail of this advice, that the lender will pay the consultation fee. The independent financial advice will be available to all mortgage holders in respect of a mortgage secured on a primary residence who are being offered long term forbearance options by their lenders. The borrower may select an accountant of their choice from a panel of practising accountants whose details are available on the website .

In addition to these supports, the Department also administers a mortgage interest supplement scheme which provides short term support to eligible people who are unable to meet their mortgage interest repayments. There are currently some 12,000 people in receipt of mortgage interest supplement for which almost €42 million has been provided by the Government in 2013.

The Central Bank has recently introduced a revised Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) which came into effect on 1 July 2013. Within this framework, mortgage interest supplement continues to provide suitable support with eligible persons having to engage with alternative payment options for a cumulative twelve month period under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP) prior to the supplement being granted. This process acknowledges that it is in the interest of both the lender and the borrower to address financial difficulties as speedily and effectively as circumstances allow.

Where a person has been assessed as having a housing need, the person concerned can apply for rent supplement administered by this Department which is available to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. There are currently approximately 84,000 customers in receipt of rent supplement for which the Government has provided over €403 million for the scheme in 2013.

I am satisfied that the Department has the appropriate services and supports in place to assist people experiencing financial difficulties. The development of housing solution responses for those who are required to vacate their homes is a matter for the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.