Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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103. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will establish a property court to deal with all property matters, including commercial property, which would include eviction proceedings, rights of appeal, judgment proceedings, arbitration and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37063/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the Government has no intention, at present, to establish a property court to deal with all property matters. As the Deputy will be aware, the preparation of the Mortgages Special Court Bill/Courts (Mortgage Arrears) Bill is under way. My Department is in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, having regard to the constitutional and legal aspects arising, as indicated in the Government's Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness published last July.

As the Deputy will also be aware, priority was given to getting the new national Mortgage Arrears Resolution Service (Abhaile) up and running, and this was formally launched in October 2016. The Service, which forms part of the Programme for Partnership Government commitments on mortgage arrears, comprises a Mortgage Arrears Aid and Advice Scheme, and a related communications and promotions campaign which will be targeted to reach those most in need of help.

Under the Aid and Advice Scheme, home owners who are unable to pay their debts and are at risk of losing their homes are provided with access to free independent expert financial and legal advice and assistance, so they can put in place solutions to their mortgage arrears, with priority to allowing them to remain in their home where that is a sustainable option.

In terms of its success so far, I can confirm that over 2,800 vouchers for financial or legal advice and assistance were issued under the Scheme between 22 July and 25 November 2016.