Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 October 2010
264 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection, further to his press statement of 6 July 2010, if he will make a statement detailing any changes he intends to make to the mortgage interest supplement scheme and the expected timeframe for same. [35180/10]
View answer265 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection further to his press statement of 6 July 2010 the steps he will take to protect those who have been recipients of mortgage interest supplement for over two years while also in receipt of invalidity pension and whose mortgage is not in arrears in the context of any revisions to be made to the mortgage interest supplement scheme. [35181/10]
View answer266 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the fact that his press statement of 6 July 2010 which detailed his departmental review group’s proposal for a two year time limit on receipt of mortgage interest supplement has caused much concern among the public and if he will make a further statement indicating the way those who are struggling to pay their mortgages and who would be in even greater difficulty in the absence of the supplement will be protected into the future. [35182/10]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 264 to 266, inclusive, together.
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme provides for a weekly or monthly supplement to be paid in respect of mortgage interest to any person in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs. The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered by the community welfare service of the Health Service Executive on behalf of the Department. My Department's review of the administrative, policy and legal aspects of mortgage interest supplement was published in July 2010. The report was published in conjunction with the interim report of the Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt Review Group. My Department is currently developing an implementation plan that will set out a framework for the future of the mortgage interest supplement scheme. This plan will be completed when the recommendations of the final report of the Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt Review Group are available. This report is expected to be completed shortly.
