Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Sinn Féin calls for urgent action on mortgage relief to avoid repossessions

Published: 13 February, 2009

Sinn Féin MLA for Newry/Armagh and DSD committee, Mickey Brady has called on the Minister of Social Development to initiate the long awaited Mortgage Relief Scheme.

"Almost one year ago the minister stated that she would bring in a mortgage relief scheme for those facing possible eviction. We still await that scheme."


"Recent statistics show that actions for repossessions have risen by 64% compared to last year's figures, meaning that 3,628 have lost their homes in the last year. Ms Ritchie has blamed everyone but herself for this increase, she has used the current financial climate as a smoke screen to cover her lack of action. The reality is that the Minister is wasting money buying off the shelf housing rather than creating jobs and building new houses. This would save her department money; money that could be well spent helping those in need."

"I commend the work of the Housing Rights Service and, in echoing their excellent advice, I would urge people who have fallen into financial difficulties to seek early advice about their situation as it is nearly always possible to prevent eviction."


"The Minister could take a leaf out of Housing Right Service's book and do something proactive and practical to assist people. She must explain why there has been such a delay in introducing her mortgage relief package in this very urgent situation; the delays have no doubt resulted in many people having their homes repossessed, a circumstance which may in some cases have been avoided had a package of assistance been in place."