Bid to make it harder to repossess homes

Courts will be able to examine any alternative arrangements that could prevent home loss (Stock Image)

A new bill that will enable courts to take home owners' personal circumstances into consideration was brought before the Dáil yesterday.

Kevin 'Boxer' Moran TD said the bill allows courts to consider the circumstances and impact of home loss on residents in the household.

"This bill is about keeping people in their homes. This bill is to ensure there is a correct application of EU law by Irish courts when dealing with home repossession," Mr Moran said.

"On the week before Christmas there were around 25 repossessions taking place in Kerry, 50 in Tipperary, 85 in Athlone and more taking place in Waterford. There were 421 homes repossessed in the third quarter of 2016, according to figures released by the central bank.

"This has led to the unprecedented strain on the State's support housing sector," he said.

He said some 30,000 households are at risk of home repossession, which could cause 100,000 people, including children, to become homeless.

The bill will enable courts to consider the effect of the loss of a home on all the household members, in particular the impact on their physical and mental health.

Courts will be able to examine any alternative arrangements that could prevent home loss.

The courts will also be able to examine the effect repossession would have on children or the availability of suitable alternative accommodation that will allow the household to live together.

Irish Independent