Thursday, 21 Jun 2018

Written Answers Nos. 232-251

State Bodies Data

Questions (232)

Michael McGrath

Question:

232. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of positions on the board in respect of the board of agencies and commercial State companies under his Department’s aegis in tabular form; the quorum required for a board meeting; the number of ministerial appointee vacancies on the board to date; the length of time the ministerial appointee vacancy has been present for each vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27226/18]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

There are four agencies under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Development, Pobal, Irish Water Safety, the Charities Regulator and the Western Development Commission.

The following table contains the relevant information requested in respect of the boards of these agencies.

Agency/State company under aegis of DRCD	Number of positions on the board	Quorum required for a board meeting	Number of ministerial appointee vacancies on the board to date	Length of time the ministerial appointee vacancy has been present for each vacancy
Pobal	17	Not less than 50% members	1 vacancy	7 months (due to a retirement)
Irish Water Safety	13	5	0	0
Charities Regulator Authority	13	5	0	0
The Western Development Commission	11	5	0	0

LEADER Programmes Expenditure

Questions (233)

Barry Cowen

Question:

233. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the €5 million allocated to the LEADER programme as outlined in budget 2018; the amount that has been spent; the way in which the money has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27252/18]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

Subhead A6 of my Department's Vote shows an increase in funding of €5 million for the LEADER programme in 2018 compared to 2017.  The allocation under the Subhead has increased from €30 million in 2017, to €35 million in 2018.  In addition, a further €5 million has been assigned to the LEADER programme from capital allocations carried forward from 2017.  

The programme is administered by Local Action Groups (LAGs) which deliver funding in accordance with Local Development Strategies that have been agreed for each LAG area.

Expenditure to date in 2018 under the programme amounts to over €6 million. This includes the administration costs of the LAGs, the cost of their engagement with communities to generate projects, expenditure on individual projects, and the running costs of the programme.

Over 1,000 projects with a value in excess of €29 million have been approved by the LAGs to date, with more than 340 additional projects with a value of €19 million at an earlier stage in the approvals process.

Expenditure on the programme will increase significantly over the coming months as projects are completed and promoters submit claims to my Department for payment.

Rural Development Programme Funding

Questions (234)

Barry Cowen

Question:

234. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the €3.7 million allocated to the national rural development schemes as outlined in budget 2018; the amount that has been spent; the way in which the money has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27253/18]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

Subhead A5 of my Department's Vote for 2018 shows an increase in funding of €3.7 million compared to 2017.  The allocation under the Subhead has increased from €15.283 million in 2017, to €18.983 million in 2018.  This increase was provided to build on the progress made by my Department last year in delivering a range of National Rural Development Schemes. 

My Department operates a number of schemes under this Subhead, including the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, CLÁR and the Walks Scheme.

Of the total allocation of €18.983 million for this year, €11.38 million is allocated to the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, €5 million is allocated to the CLÁR programme and €2 million is allocated to the Rural Walks Scheme.  The balance of funding is provided for smaller initiatives.

I launched the 2018 CLÁR programme in March, with a closing date of end-April, and I will be announcing the successful applicants shortly.  The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme was launched on 1 June, with a July closing date for applications. 

This year to date, €3.3 million has been drawn down from Subhead A5.  However, expenditure will increase in the coming months, in line with my Department's projected profile of expenditure, as projects are approved under the various schemes referred to above.

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Questions (235)

Barry Cowen

Question:

235. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the €3 million allocated to the town and village regeneration as outlined in budget 2018; the amount that has been spent; the way in which the money has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27254/18]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is a key component in the revitalisation of rural towns and villages and in sustaining our rural communities. The scheme was introduced in 2016 and €10 million in funding was allocated to 170 projects in the first year of operation.

In 2017, as part of the Action Plan for Rural Development, I launched an enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme with a focus on projects that could bring a positive economic impact to our rural towns and villages.  The allocation for the scheme in the 2017 Revised Estimates Volume was €12 million.

I launched a further round of the scheme in April of this year, with an indicative allocation of €15 million.  This represents a €3 million increase on the 2017 Revised Estimates allocation.  

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is administered through the Local Authorities who are required to consult with local communities in identifying town and village projects for submission to my Department for consideration.  The closing date for the submission of applications to my Department under the 2018 scheme is 30th June. I anticipate that up to 200 projects will be approved arising from this call for proposals.

Projects under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme are typically delivered over a 12 to 18 period and straddle more than one financial year.  Since its introduction in 2016, the scheme has supported over 450 projects and is having a positive impact on rural towns and villages in terms of supporting improvements in infrastructure, public realm enhancements, and job creation initiatives.

Cross-Border Projects

Questions (236)

Barry Cowen

Question:

236. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the €2.9 million allocated to the PEACE programme as outlined in budget 2018; the amount that has been spent; the way in which the money has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27255/18]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Programme for Peace and Reconciliation 2014-2020 (PEACE IV) is a cross-border programme co-financed through the European Union's European Regional Development Fund.  It supports peace and reconciliation through actions that promote social and economic stability in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo).  The programme is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) on behalf of the Irish and UK Governments.

My Department is an Accountable Department under the programme and provides funding under three themes - Shared Spaces and Services, Building Positive Relations, and Children and Young People.  My Department's primary role in implementing the programme and developing projects is as an advisor on the PEACE IV Steering Committee, together with other relevant Departments from Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The total value of the current PEACE programme is €270m.  Some €229m (85%) will be provided by the EU, with the remaining €41m provided by the Irish (€9m) and UK (€32m) Governments.  My Department will provide around €3.7m towards the implementation of local authority action plans and regional projects in 2018.

Some €1.3m has been provided by my Department to date in 2018, with details of the funding provided per theme set out in the following table.  I expect a full drawdown of funding by the SEUPB by year-end. 

Theme	Funding provided to date in 2018
Children & Young People	€0.170m
Shared Spaces and Services	€0.450m
Building Positive Relations	€0.700m
Total	€1.32m

Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme Expenditure

Questions (237)

Barry Cowen

Question:

237. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the €1 million allocated to the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme as outlined in budget 2018; the amount that has been spent; the way in which the money has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27256/18]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I assume the Deputy is referring to the additional €1 million allocated to Social Inclusion/Regional Development Supports in budget 2018. This subhead primarily provides funding to the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP).

SICAP is delivered locally, under the oversight of Local Community Development Committees, by contracted Programme Implementers who work to improve the life chances of those who are marginalised in society, living in poverty or unemployed.  The additional €1 million allowed an increase of some €0.5 million in the SICAP funding allocation for 2018.  Spend under the SICAP 2018 to date is €27,968,550.

The remainder of the additional €1 million allowed an increase of some €0.5 million for funding outside of the SICAP for some groups who operate in disadvantaged areas or with disadvantaged people.  This includes a number of co-funded projects with Dublin City Council such as the Dublin Inner City Co-operative and the Cherry Orchard Equine Centre. The 2018 spend to date is €449,653.

Back to Work Allowance Data

Questions (238)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

238. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a back to work enterprise scheme application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27123/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The back to work enterprise allowance (BTWEA) is designed to provide a monetary incentive for people who are in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment to develop a business while allowing them to retain a reducing proportion of their qualifying social welfare payment over two years; 100% in year 1 and 75% in year 2.

A review of the person’s BTWEA application referred to by the Deputy has been conducted by the central policy unit and a decision has been made to award the claim. A letter has issued directly to the person concerned confirming this decision.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Questions (239)

Eugene Murphy

Question:

239. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the ring-fencing of carer's allowance will be considered for families of children with rare neurogenic conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27171/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Carer’s allowance (CA) is a means tested income support paid to people who are providing full-time care and attention to a person requiring such support. The type of illness or the medical condition does not determine whether the person meets the care conditionality

The person receiving care is regarded as requiring full-time care and attention where:

- He or she is so incapacitated as to require continuous supervision in order to avoid danger to him or her/self, or continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions, and

- he or she is so incapacitated as to be likely to require full-time care and attention for a period of at least 12 months.

Also the means test for CA is the most generous in the social protection suite of income supports. The means test applies disregards of €332.50 of weekly income for a single/legally separated person and €665.00 of weekly income for a carer who is married, in a civil partnership or co-habiting. This disregard applies to any means that a carer may have i.e. earnings, savings, property, and in the case of weekly earnings from employment the disregard is applied after PRSI, superannuation and union contributions are deducted from the gross weekly income (in line with the disregards provided for all other social assistance schemes). For a couple, the combined gross weekly means is then halved to give the carer's weekly means.

A carer whose partner is on the average weekly wage and has annual earnings of €38,199 may therefore retain the full rate of €214.

The main benefits of the payment and its current structure are that it can provide flexible support in many varied circumstances in its current form and therefore I do not consider it appropriate or necessary to change the scheme for specific conditions.

I hope this answer addresses the Deputy’s question.

Respite Care Grant

Questions (240)

Robert Troy

Question:

240. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a carer's respite grant in respect of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed. [27191/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Firstly may I take this opportunity to extend my condolences to the person concerned and his family on their recent bereavement.

The Carer's Support Grant (CSG) formerly known as the respite care grant is an annual payment made to full-time carers who satisfy certain conditions.

The grant is payable automatically to carers who are in receipt of carer’s allowance (CA) on the first Thursday in June of the relevant year.

CA continues in payment for 12 weeks after the death of a care recipient.

In this case as the care recipient died on 3 March 2018, the person concerned continued to receive CA at a personal rate of €126.00 per week until 30 May 2018. As entitlement to CA ceased from this date the person concerned was not entitled to receive the CSG 2018.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

State Bodies Data

Questions (241)

Michael McGrath

Question:

241. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of positions on the board in respect of the board of agencies and commercial State companies under her Department’s aegis in tabular form; the quorum required for a board meeting; the number of ministerial appointee vacancies on the board to date; the length of time the ministerial appointee vacancy has been present for each vacancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27219/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The statutory bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Citizens Information Board, the Low Pay Commission, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council (which does not have a board) and the Social Welfare Tribunal.

The Social Welfare Tribunal consists of a Chairman and four other members, two of whom are nominated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and two by the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC). There is currently one vacancy on the Tribunal which will be filled when the replacement nomination is received from ICTU.

The details requested in respect of the other bodies are set out in tabular form:

State Board	No. of positions on the Board	Quorum required for a Board meeting	No. of Ministerial appointee vacancies on the Board to date	Length of time the Ministerial appointee vacancy has been present for each vacancy
Citizens Information Board	15	8	Nil	Nil
Low Pay Commission	9	5 (non-statutory)	Nil	Nil
Pensions Authority	3	2	Nil	Nil

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (242)

Robert Troy

Question:

242. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a claim for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [27264/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I confirm that my department received an application for disability allowance from this gentleman on 21 May 2018. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

The processing time for individual DA claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Payments

Questions (243)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if supplementary welfare payment will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27300/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

As advised in the reply to Questions Number 24681-18, the person concerned was awarded an interim payment of supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) following the withdrawal of her widow’s pension on grounds of cohabitation. The SWA payment had been awarded as an interim payment while the person was awaiting a decision on an appeal against the disallowance of her pension and was advised that a negative decision on her appeal would result in discontinuation of the SWA payment.

On 27/4/18 the Social Welfare Appeals Office advised the appellant of their decision to uphold the disallowance of widow’s pension. Accordingly, the SWA payment was suspended on 10/5/18.

No further correspondence on the matter has been received from the Social Welfare Appeals Office. If there have been any changes in her circumstances, or in the status of her appeal, the person concerned should submit a new claim for widow’s pension or supplementary welfare allowance providing evidence of same.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Payments

Questions (244)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

244. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason correspondence of 8 June 2018 was issued to a person (details supplied) in view of the fact they were out of Ireland for two weeks from 30 May to 15 June 2018; if full payment will be restored forthwith to avoid hardship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27342/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Except in certain exceptional circumstances, disability allowance (DA) is not payable for any period in respect of which the claimant is resident outside of the state. On an administrative basis, DA allows for two weeks holiday entitlement in any twelve month period.

In all circumstances, DA recipients must inform the department that they are intending to leave the state in advance of travel and submit their travel itinerary showing flight details when they return.

Arrears of allowance due have issued to this gentleman. The department has requested travel itinerary from the person concerned in order to establish the person’s entitlement during that time. The person’s case will be reviewed on receipt of the relevant documentation.

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Questions (245)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

245. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will qualify for a carer’s allowance in respect of their spouse in the event of reducing their work outside the home to 15 hours per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27345/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

An application for carer’s allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 21 March 2018.

It is a primary condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention.

This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.

It is a further condition for receipt of CA that the carer must be providing full-time care and attention. A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that neither of these conditions were satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 30 May 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The person concerned submitted documents in relation to their application on 1 June 2018 and a review of this decision ensued. The outcome of the review is that the original decision is confirmed.

The person concerned was notified on 7 June 2018 of this outcome, the reason for it and of her right of appeal.

A reduction in the hours of employment is not sufficient for this application to succeed. The husband of the person concerned has not been deemed to require full-time care and attention.

In addition, if he was deemed to require full-time care and attention, the person concerned would also need to show to the satisfaction of the department that adequate provision has been made for the care of her husband in her absence.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Questions (246)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

246. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an increase in rent support can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27347/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The purpose of the rent supplement is to assist with reasonable accommodation costs of eligible persons living in private rented accommodation, where they are unable to provide for their accommodation costs from their own resources and do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. According to the records of this Department the person concerned has not made any contact with the office administering their payment. If the person concerned is experiencing difficulties they can contact the office administering the rent supplement payment by telephone at 01-6732155 or by email at [e-mail] .

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Exceptional Needs Payment Eligibility

Questions (247)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

247. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27348/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

As advised in the reply to Question No. 26140-18, the person concerned is in receipt of a jobseekers allowance payment. The rate of payment was reduced in May 2018 for a number of weeks due to the application of a penalty rate arising from non-engagement with the Department’s Employment Services. Full rate was restored when the customer resumed engagement. The person concerned enquired with the Community Welfare Officer on 7/6/18 as to whether the amount of the rate reduction would be reimbursed but was advised that under current legislation this is not possible. The person concerned was also given some general information about Exceptional Need Payments and details of how to apply. According to the records of this Department no application has been received to date. If the person concerned has a difficulty with their rent payment they should contact the office administering their payment by telephone at 01-6732155 or by email at [e-mail].

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Exceptional Needs Payment Applications

Questions (248)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27349/18]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Following Parliamentary Question No 23070-18, the Community Welfare Officer (CWO) made several unsuccessful attempts to contact the person concerned by telephone. The CWO has now sent an application form by post to the person concerned. Upon return of the completed application form, the application will be considered and a decision will issue to the person concerned. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Ministerial Staff Data

Questions (249)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

249. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the name, responsibilities and salaries of all advisers appointed by him since July 2017, in tabular form. [27197/18]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

I have appointed two special advisers in my Department since my appointment as Minister, both of whom work across a wide range of areas within the remit of my Department including Housing, Planning, Local Government, Water Services and Electoral Reform as well as liaising with the media and other Government Departments and advisers.

The names and salary details of both advisers are set out in tabular form.

Name	Payscale
Jack O'Donnell	Principal Officer (Standard) PPC pay scale (€84,973 - €104,507).
Jennifer Carroll Mac Neill	Principal Officer (Standard) PPC pay scale (€84,973 - €104,507)

Fire Stations Provision

Questions (250, 268)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

250. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if it will be guaranteed that Ballyshannon fire station will remain open; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a commissioned report affirmed the best practice cover for the towns of Ballyshannon and Bundoran are stations in both towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27127/18]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

268. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has received a request from Donegal County Council for additional supports and or financial assistance to avoid the potential closure of a fire station (details supplied); if his attention has been dawn to proposals being considered by the local authority to reconfigure fire services in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27263/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 268 together.

The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Service Act, 1981.  My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.

Donegal County Council, in partnership with my Department, has made substantial progress in modernising fire stations in Co. Donegal and has replaced twelve fire stations following investment of some €11 million through my Department's Fire Service Capital Programme since 2000.

I understand that Donegal County Council is undertaking a review process to inform a new fire station proposal in South Donegal.  My Department has indicated that it is open to considering a suitable fire station project proposal for South Donegal from the County Council, and would welcome a proposal which would effectively finish the county’s fire station construction programme. A proposal which fits with the normal fire station project criteria will be fully considered and, if appropriate, will be included in the five year Capital Programme currently underway.

I await hearing further from Donegal County Council on this matter.

Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility

Questions (251, 274)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

251. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to increase the maximum income limits for housing assistance payment, HAP, and the mortgage to rent scheme; if so, when; if there is discretion on the limits for the mortgage to rent scheme such as in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27160/18]

Tom Neville

Question:

274. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if matters raised in correspondence from persons (details supplied) will receive a reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27365/18]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 274 together.

The Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme introduced in 2012 is targeted at those households in mortgage arrears who are eligible for social housing support whose mortgage is unsustainable and who have very limited options, if any to meet their long-term housing needs themselves.  One of the main criteria underpinning the MTR scheme is that it is a social housing option and therefore is targeted at those borrowers in arrears who qualify for social housing support as prescribed by the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011.  The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) programme is also a social housing support option available to those who qualify for social housing support. 

It is a matter for individual housing authorities to assess a household's income for social housing support eligibility in accordance with the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 which prescribe maximum net income limits for each housing authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. As Minister, I am precluded from involvement in individual housing assessments, such as those outlined by the Deputies.

The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band are based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. As part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports has commenced. The Housing Agency is carrying out the detailed statistical work on behalf of my Department and I expect the results of this review to be available for publication in late Summer 2018.

The Abhaile service, formally launched by the Government in 2016, is a national mortgage arrears resolution service, provided free of charge to the borrower and its aim is to help mortgage holders in arrears to find the best solutions and keep them, wherever possible, in their own homes.  The unique element of Abhaile is that it brings together, for the first time, the full range of supports and services required by borrowers in home mortgage arrears.  A dedicated adviser will work with the borrower and their lender to find the best solution for their particular situation.  The Money Advice and Budgetary Service (MABS) acts as the gateway for the service and can be contacted by telephoning [phone] or by accessing their website at: www.mabs.ie/abhaile.