Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 November 2015
217. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of shared ownership arrangements which are currently in place with local authorities, the total value of loans outstanding for this category of home ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42267/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra218. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of shared ownership arrangements with local authorities which are in arrears; if a process is in place for dealing with such arrears cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42268/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together.
My Department publishes a wide range of housing statistics, including the number and value of local authority mortgages and a breakdown of those in arrears ; however, the data does not provide a specific breakdown in respect of shared ownership mortgages. The statistics on local authority mortgage arrears generally are available on my Department’s website at:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/FileDownLoad,15295,en.xls by clicking “Mortgage Data/Arrears in Local Authorities” under the Housing Loans contents. Local authority estimates suggest that approximately 16,500 loans issued under the Shared Ownership Schemes, of which approximately 4,000 loans remain outstanding with an estimated value of €577m.
The Central Bank’s Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears requires all mortgage lenders to ensure that it has in place a Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP) as a framework for handling such cases. My Department introduced guidelines for local authorities in 2012 and, subsequently, issued revised guidelines in June 2014. These guidelines, Dealing with Mortgage Arrears – A Guide for Local Authorities , are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,30943,en.pdf.
A Mortgage to Rent scheme, specifically for local authority mortgage borrowers, is available as part of the MARP arrangements. The Local Authority Mortgage to Rent scheme and the wider operation of MARP within local authorities are kept under regular review by my Department.
In cases of acute mortgage distress, homeowners also have the option of seeking to avail of the legal process now also in place to deal with personal insolvency. The most important step any household in arrears can take is to engage early with the Arrears Support Unit of the local authority. Solutions are available and advice should be sought as early as possible.
