The mortgage arrears special courts Bill has been promised as legislation. Will the legislation appear in the House before the end of this session and, if not, would it be possible to set down guidelines within which borrowers might be protected in order to prevent an escalation in homelessness in the interim?

That Bill is still under consideration. However, with regard to issuing guidelines, one of the matters being worked on by the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Social Protection is the introduction of better support for people who are in mortgage difficulties, so that the various legislative supports - be it MABS, from the Department of Social Protection, or the insolvency service from the Department of Justice and Equality - can be integrated in a more effective way. This would provide support to families at the point at which they need the help, while making sure that any opportunities to achieve viable working solutions are not allowed to slip.