Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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234. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if any examination has been done as to the extent to which cessation of mortgage interest relief has negatively impacted upon particular families; the action which can be taken by way of support where loss of the family home is imminent through no fault of the family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23071/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The administration of the mortgage interest relief scheme is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners and any changes to current arrangements is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.

The most appropriate way in which families experiencing mortgage difficulties can be supported is through on-going engagement with their lender to explore sustainable solutions.

The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABs) assists people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems, in particular those on low incomes and people living on social welfare payments. The Deputy may not be aware that in addition to its traditional core business MABS has been developed to provide additional services targeted at supporting mortgage holders in arrears with the establishment of a new Dedicated Mortgage Arrears (DMA) MABS service. There are now 28 specialist DMA advisors working across 24 locations countrywide, assisting borrowers to assess the options available to them, signposting them towards ISI where appropriate, or negotiating with lenders on their behalf. Contact details for the local MABS services are available on the MABS website at www.mabs.ie or by contacting the Helpline at 0761072000.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.