I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not hold the information that is being sought. Officials from my Department contacted AIB and it provided the following response:
"AIB prioritises reaching consensual arrangements with its customers in difficulty and only resorts to court proceedings where this is not possible. In cases where customers do not meaningfully engage or do not engage at all with the bank or reject the offer of a sustainable restructuring solution, AIB will pursue enforcement through the court process."
"It is important to note that the initiation of legal proceedings does not necessarily result in repossession. As soon as a customer in difficulty engages and enters into a restructured payment arrangement, the bank will pause the legal process. AIB offers the largest suite of solutions and operates multiple engagement channels that facilitate the maximum possible levels of engagement with customers in difficulty."
"The Bank does not specifically record the information as sought however can advise that the Bank has had rarely commenced Bankruptcy summonses in the past 6-years. In respect of the court proceedings we have detailed below the number of PDH proceedings either completed in the 12-month period to or in course at the 31.12.2018."
(PDH) Voluntary & Legal & Surrender; Legal Proceedings December 2018
Actions
|
Number
|
Issuing of a Civil Bill at the Court Circuit or Special Summons
at the High Court – 12 months to 31/12/2018
|
297
|
Civil Bill served on borrower or Civil Bill lodged/entered at
Circuit Court - 12 months to 31/12/2018
|
268
|
Court Hearing in Progress – as at 31/12/2018
|
2,445
|
Order Granted for Repossession – 12 months to 31/12/2018
|
316
|
Property in Bank's Possession – as at 31/12/2018
|
547
|
Sale Completed – 12 months to 31/12/2018
|
49
|