I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together.
I am aware that bridging finance can be a significant additional cost to house purchasers, particularly when there is protracted delay in advancing a mortgage. Undue delays are generally associated with title difficulties and while there may be some scope for improvement on the part of lending institutions, the total elimination of brdging finance does not seem possible.
My Department are puruing with the different lending agencies and the other bodies concerned the extent to which it may be possible to implement recommendations designed to minimise the need for bridging finance made in a report pbulished by An Foras Forbartha on Problems of Delays and Expenses Associated with Private House Purchase Transactions.