Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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291. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains satisfied that the lending sector continues to facilitate borrowers who have mortgages or other arrears; and that arrangements continue to be entered into to facilitate the needs of borrowers, in a way that is sustainable to them, and not only to the lender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33369/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Central Bank published Residential Mortgage Arrears and Repossessions Statistics for quarter 2 of this year on 02 September last.  This publication provided further evidence that lenders are continuing to facilitate borrowers with mortgage arrears.  In summary, the position is: 

1. Quarter 2 2015 marks the eight consecutive quarter of decline in the number of mortgage accounts for principal dwelling houses in arrears.  This cohort has declined by 6.3 per cent relative to Q1 2015.
2. The number of accounts in arrears over 90 days continued to fall, marking the seventh consecutive decline in the number of accounts in this cohort.
3. The 363-720 days in arrears category showed the largest decline, with a 12.9 per cent quarter-on-quarter reduction.
4. The pace of increase in accounts in arrears over 720 days has reduced significantly in recent quarters, with the smallest increase in this category occurring to date.
5. Over 118,500 PDH mortgage accounts were classified as restructured at end-June, reflecting a quarter-on-quarter increase in restructured accounts of 1.9 per cent.  Of these restructured accounts, 86.3 per cent were deemed to be meeting the terms of their current restructure arrangement.
6. The continuing positive data trends shown in the Central Bank quarter 2 mortgage arrears returns are welcome and show that where there is positive engagement between lender and borrower, in the majority of cases an outcome that is beneficial to both parties can be achieved.
7. The Deputy will also be aware that lenders are required to fully comply with the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) and are answerable to the Central Bank for any failure to do so. The Central Bank monitors compliance by regulated entities with the CCMA and published the outcome of a themed inspection of compliance with the CCMA in June, the findings of which it is currently following-up on. 
8. Based on the data for quarter 2 and the Central Bank follow-up action on foot of their CCMA themed inspection, I am satisfied that the lending sector continues to facilitate borrowers who have mortgages or other arrears and that every effort is made to facilitate borrowers with sustainable restructure arrangements.