Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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519. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of local authority mortgages currently in existence; the total value of local authority mortgages outstanding; the number that are in arrears for more than 90 days; the total amount of arrears on local authority mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19674/14]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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520. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the actions being taken to assist persons who are in arrears with a local authority to put in place a sustainable solution to their arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19675/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 520 together.

My Department publishes a wide range of housing statistics , including the number and value of local authority mortgages with a breakdown of those in arrears for more than 90 days . The statistics are available on my Department’s website at:by clicking “Mortgage Data/Arrears in Local Authorities” under the Housing Loans contents.

My Department issued guidelines to local authorities for dealing with mortgage arrears within the local authority sector in August 2012. Dealing with Mortgage Arrears – A Guide for Local Authorities is available on my Department’s website at:

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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521. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if local authorities are permitted to require a person who is taking out a local authority mortgage to purchase life assurance through the local authority rather than on the open market; his views on whether this adds an additional unnecessary cost burden on mortgage holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19676/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The local authority mortgage protection insurance scheme is overseen by the Mortgage Protection Committee which is a sub-committee of the County and City Managers Association (CCMA) and is representative of the CCMA, local authorities, the Housing Finance Agency and my Department.

One of the conditions of the scheme , which is a group policy, is that it is obligatory for all local authority borrowers who meet the eligibility criteria to join the scheme. Altering this condition would have a negative impact on the scheme and increase the cost for all existing borrowers.

The provision requiring that mortgage protection insurance is held by mortgage holders is contained in the Consumer Credit Act 1995. This legislation is the responsibility of the nister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

In terms of comparison to other schemes of mortgage protection, it is important to note that it covers disability as well as death and that the disability cover is for the full period of the disability and not just 12 months as is the case in the majority of MPI policies available.

The Mortgage Protection Committee which oversees the scheme endeavours to achieve a balance between the most economic rate to be charged for the scheme and the benefits provided. In negotiating a renewal of the scheme, which came into effect from 1 January 2012, the Committee were able to harness the downward pressure on pricing in the economy and secure an average 19% reduction on the rate which applied to the previous scheme.