The Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton TD today announced the provision of free independent professional financial advice to borrowers in mortgage distress.

The Minister said: “I am pleased to announce today that independent financial advice will be available to mortgage holders who are being offered long-term resolution proposals by their lenders. This advice will be provided by a panel of accountants drawn from members of the main accountancy institutes in Ireland who have agreed to participate and support this independent service.”

 

“When a lender is proposing longer-term mortgage resolutions the lender will advise the borrower to obtain independent financial advice on the proposed arrangement and that, if the borrower wishes to avail of this option, that the lender will pay €250 to an accountant of the borrower’s choosing for the provision of this advice,’’ the Minister explained.

 

The Minister continued: “This cost of the new service will be met wholly by the banks and other lending institutions and depending on the number of people who avail of this element of the Mortgage Arrears Information and Advice Service the costs could be in the region of €10 million.

 

An operating protocol for the provision of this advice has been agreed between the accountancy bodies, the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland, the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the lenders. The general scope of the advice will be limited to the borrower’s principal private residence.

 

“The Government is fully aware that there are no quick fixes or a one-size-fits-all solution to the mortgage debt problem.  Each family in mortgage arrears faces unique difficulties and we must have a range of solutions which can be adapted to resolve each family’s difficulties.  The key message is engagement. People experiencing difficulties with their mortgage need to contact their lender.”

 

The Minister added “The Government is acutely aware of the difficulties that many households are facing in meeting their mortgage repayments and addressing these difficulties is at the forefront of Government’s agenda.  This service providing distressed mortgage holders with independent financial advice taken together with the Personal Insolvency Service and the Mortgage to Rent initiatives clearly demonstrate the commitment of Government to tackling the personal debt burden being carried by ordinary people.”

 

This measure announced today is an integral part of the extensive measures in place through the Citizens Information Board (CIB), Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABs) and other providers to better inform at-risk mortgage holders. The other measures include:

 

• The enhanced website, www.keepingyourhome.ie, maintained by the Citizens Information Board which offers detailed information and initial advice to distressed mortgage holders. This is the key online access portal for general mortgage arrears information and advice. Members of the public can access the website directly or through automated links to the site from all relevant organisations such as the NCA, CIB/MABS, the Central Bank, lenders etc.  A mobile version of the site has also been developed and is accessible for all phone types.

 

• The Mortgage Arrears Information Helpline which has been operational since July 2012 provides general mortgage arrears information and guidance to mortgage holders in particular those borrowers who are in arrears or pre-arrears on their residential property. The Helpline also refers calls to other services such as the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, Free Legal Aid Centres and other relevant services. The Helpline number is 0761 07 4050, Monday to Friday 9.30am -5pm.