Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together.

Abhaile is jointly coordinated and funded by the Department of Justice and the Department of Social Protection, under a Joint Steering Board and a Joint Working Group, which include the implementing bodies. The service’s implementing bodies are the Citizens Information Board (which includes the Money Advice and Budgeting Service), the Insolvency Service of Ireland, the Legal Aid Board and the Courts Service.

My Department continues to provide legislative support to Abhaile in its delivery through the Legal Aid Board and the Insolvency Service of Ireland. The Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Act 2021 has made several important changes in order to support borrowers to achieve more effective access to personal insolvency solutions.

Abhaile was initially established in 2016 with the intention of being a three-year response to the impact of the financial crisis on mortgage arrears in Ireland, with a plan to wind down the service at the end of this three-year period. However, in 2019, taking account of continuing need, the Government approved a three-year extension to Abhaile, with earmarked funding until the end of 2022. A commitment was also made under the Programme for Government 2020 to continue to resource Abhaile. In making this extension, the Government agreed that a Strategic Review of the Operation of Abhaile should be undertaken. In November 2022, taking account of continuing need and a forthcoming external Strategic Review of the scheme to determine its future, the Government approved an extension of the Abhaile scheme, including the Dedicated Mortgage Arrears Service, to the end of 2023.

The Strategic Review examined the effectiveness of the current structures of Abhaile in coordinating and delivering its services on behalf of the State to borrowers in serious mortgage arrears. It is important that Abhaile can operate as effectively as possible in supporting those in need of its services.

This Strategic Review, conducted consultants on behalf of my Department and the Department of Social Protection, is now complete. The final report and its recommendations are expected to be brought to Government by myself and my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, for consideration in the coming weeks.