Peter Fitzpatrick
Ceist:525. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Justice when she plans to publish the personal insolvency (amendment) (No. 1) Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41887/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020
525. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Justice when she plans to publish the personal insolvency (amendment) (No. 1) Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41887/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI hope to obtain Government approval to publish the Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Bill 2020 before Christmas.
This short but urgent Bill makes a number of procedural and other changes to the Personal Insolvency Acts 2012 to 2015 that are needed, in the context of the current pandemic, to ensure that homeowners and other people who are in financial difficulties due to the economic impact of COVID-19 can access the protection afforded by the Personal Insolvency Acts, if they are struggling to pay what they owe.
This is the first delivery on the Programme for Government commitment to introduce necessary reforms to our personal insolvency legislation. A second, wider Personal Insolvency Bill is also being prepared, for publication in 2021. This will implement further important changes arising from the statutory review of the Personal Insolvency Acts, including making the process more streamlined and effective.