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Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2012

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Questions (190)

Michael McGrath

Question:

190. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the forbearance options offered by each of the covered banks in respect of customers in difficulty with their mortgage repayments; if the Central Bank of Ireland has requested that information in relation to forbearance options is made available in an accessible format to customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46401/12]

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Written answers

In addition to the forbearance measures provided for in the revised code of conduct on mortgage arrears, each of the covered banks have or are developing, having regard to individual circumstances, a range of further options under the MARS process in respect of their customers experiencing difficulty with their mortgage. While each bank will have its own particular suite of options, the overall range of measures provided or to be provided by the covered banks includes options such as term extensions, split mortgages, deferred interest scheme, trade down, mortgage to rent and voluntary sale/surrender (or a combination of some of these). In relation to any forbearance offer made by the covered banks, or indeed by any other regulated mortgage lender, under the MARS process the Central Bank advises that chapter 4.21 of the Consumer Protection Code will apply and it requires that ‘Prior to offering, recommending, arranging or providing a product, a regulated entity must provide information, on paper or on another durable medium, to the consumer about the main features and restrictions of the product to assist the consumer in understanding the product. To the extent that the contract for the provision of the product is a distance contract for the supply of a financial service under the European Communities (Distance Marketing of Consumer Financial Services) Regulations 2004, the Regulations apply in place of the requirement set out in the first sentence of this provision.

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