Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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273. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on correspondence (details supplied) in Dublin 3 regarding mortgage debt forgiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11831/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The correspondence referred to in the Deputy's question makes the case that large scale debt forgiveness by the Government to distressed mortgage holders is not a fair response to the issue and would disadvantage those currently renting and wishing to purchase an affordable home.

The Government has developed a comprehensive cross-Departmental strategy to support households in arrears in line with the main recommendations of the 2011 Keane Report. The primary focus of this strategy is to support those homeowners in difficulty with their mortgage repayments and, insofar as possible, to avoid repossession of the family home.  The Deputy will be aware that the Government's mortgage arrears strategy must be viewed as part of the overarching Government Housing Policy, the implementation of which is overseen by the Construction 2020, Housing Planning and Mortgage Arrears Cabinet sub-Committee, which is chaired by An Taoiseach.  The overall strategic objective of the Government's housing strategy, which comes under the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, Alan Kelly TD, is to enable all households access good quality housing appropriate to household circumstances and in their particular community of choice.