This article is from page 2 of the 2011-02-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
MORE THAN 1,000 Clare homes could face repossession once the Government’s stay on house repossessions is lifted.
According to figures released by the Irish Central Bank, more then 70,000 Irish homeowners are struggling to pay their mortgages with more than 30,000 currently making interest only payments.
It is also estimated that no payment has been made on more than 100 Clare mortgages for 12 months or over. The Clare Citizens Information Service and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) have organised a special public seminar for people in mortgage difficulty, which will take place at in Ennis this Thursday.
Despite new mortgage arrears measures introduced by the Central Bank last December, there has still been an increase in the number of homes being repossessed.
“The rise in possession actions underscores the need for a non-judicial, national debt settlement office,” said Paul Joyce, senior policy researcher on consumer credit law for the Free legal Advice Centres (FLAC), who will speak at the event.
“The EU/IMF deal had set a March 2012 deadline for a new law to create an out-of-court system to deal with personal debt. We cannot wait that long.”
The seminar will focus on mortgage debt and the impact it is having on people in Clare.
According to Paul Woulfe, Manager with the Citizens Information Service (CIS), more and more people are contacting CIS with difficulties keeping a roof over their heads.
“Recent data provided by MABS indicates that the number of mortgage arrears cases has increased by 57 percent between 2009 and 2010,” he said.
“Responding to this situation the seminar will address some of the issues with a expert panel of speaker in the areas of the revised Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears and dealing with mortgage debt.”
The seminar will take place at the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis, Thursday, February 17, from 10am to 1pm.
Meanwhile, the Citizens Information Mobile Unit will be in Sixmilebridge on Friday, February 18; in Tulla on Monday, February 21; and in Ballyvaughan on Tuesday, February 22. It will also be in Miltown Malbay on Wednesday, February 23, and Lisdoonvarna on Thursday, February 24.