Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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126. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will investigate the current level of engagement among housing agencies with the mortgage to rent scheme; if he is satisfied with same; if he will consider implementing legislation or amending the principal legislation to ensure that there is a higher level of engagement between housing agencies and applicants of the mortgage to rent scheme to ensure that they are not forced out of their home and onto the housing list which represents a failure in the current system and very poor utilisation of State funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39073/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Up to the end of Quarter 3 2016, a total of 3,498 cases has been submitted under the Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme which was introduced in 2012 for borrowers of private commercial lending institutions. Of the 3,498 cases submitted, 2,642 were ineligible or terminated during the process for a variety of reasons. Of the remaining cases submitted, 669 are being actively progressed and 187 have been completed. The MTR scheme is part of the overall suite of social housing options and an important part of the mortgage arrears resolution process. A number of amendments were made to the scheme in July 2015 to enable more properties to qualify and to make the scheme more flexible and accessible to borrowers. Despite these amendments, the rate of uptake on the scheme remains low. The reasons for this are varied and can depend on the lender, the property, the household and the ability of the Approved Housing Body sector to increase their involvement in the scheme.

Notwithstanding the amendments made to the scheme in 2015, the Government has included a review of the MTR scheme as an action in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. The review, currently underway, is examining what further amendments can be made to the scheme to make it work better for borrowers and my Department is consulting with key stakeholders in this regard. The review is to be completed by the end of the year.

In addition, the Government has established a new scheme to help people who are insolvent and in serious mortgage arrears on their home to access free, independent expert advice. The Scheme of Aid and Advice for People in Mortgage Arrears provides financial and / or legal advice and assistance to people in this situation. The aim of the scheme is to help mortgage holders in arrears to find the best solutions and keep them, wherever possible, in their own homes.