Sir,– The Irish Times carried an article about the over 11,600 people who sought advice from Abhaile, the State's mortgage arrears and debt resolution service, over a two-year period (News, "More than 11,600 households sought debt advice from State body", January 28th).
The positive view presented by the State body is at curious odds with the experiences of ordinary families facing the loss of their homes.
The Abhaile report itself shows that just 30 per cent (3,300) of the 11,695 people who have received advice have a solution in place or will have one within one year of taking advice.
In reality, the service is failing 70 per cent of users, which is poor value for money.
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There is a gulf between providing an hour or two of advice, and what people in distress really need most, which is consistent legal advice, and support with court representation.
Abhaile does not provide in-court legal representation.
Duty solicitors cannot speak for the borrower in front of the registrar or judge, which means the person at risk of losing their home is more often than not left without representation to face a lender with a full legal team.
Our research shows that 83 per cent of people in mortgage distress have not retained a solicitor to represent them in court. Over 90 per cent have not applied to legal aid for a solicitor, most because they have been told that they are not eligible.
Abhaile can be different. It could be reviewed so that it can actually do the job to which its description aspires – to resolve debt difficulties.
As it stands, it is a tick-boxing exercise – something that Government can say it is doing for people, when in fact its support is minimal and ineffective against the legal might and persistence of banks. – Yours, etc,
CECILIA FORRESTAL,
Community Action Network,
Fleet Street,
Temple Bar,
Dublin 2.