Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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103. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons in debt who have engaged with StepChange regarding their mortgage debt or any other issue and how this compares to projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17412/16]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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StepChange Debt Charity Ireland launched its telephone advice service in Ireland on November 16th last, offering free and independent help for anyone struggling with debt problems. The charity offers a range of solutions to help people deal with their whole debt problem, secured and unsecured, including informal repayment plans, mortgage restructuring and insolvency.

The Deputy will be aware that StepChange is funded via a grant agreement with Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, Permanent TSB, KBC Bank and Allied Irish Bank.  I do not have information regarding the number of clients who have engaged with StepChange regarding their mortgage debt, nor do I have any information regarding how this compares to their projections.