Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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149. To ask the Minister for Finance the measures being taken to assist families such as a person (details supplied) who are stuck in properties in negative equity; the schemes available for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7395/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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From a financial perspective the overall Government approach to the issue of mortgage difficulty has been to provide supports and measures to assist borrowers experiencing most difficulty in meeting their mortgage payments. For example, the Government has reformed personal insolvency, introduced the Abhaile Scheme which provides support via the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI), the Legal Aid Board and the Citizens Information Board (CIB).

It should be noted that the recent improvements in the economy have significantly reduced the numbers in negative equity and the most recent Central Bank Macro Financial Review indicates that as at Quarter 3 2017, only 8.7% of Primary Dwelling Homes (PDH) remain in negative equity, down from 36.2% at the end of 2012. A link to the Review is below .

Also, it should be noted that negative equity borrowers who wish to move home are exempted from the deposit requirements which generally apply to second and subsequent buyers in the Central Bank mortgage lending measures.