The Government's stated position on people in mortgage and housing difficulties is to keep them in their homes. The previous Government phased out mortgage interest supplement for new applicants as of the beginning of 2014. Everybody who receives the supplement will be removed from the scheme as of 1 January 2018, while those in receipt of mortgage interest relief will no longer receive it as of 1 January 2017. The Government has made a commitment to replace these schemes with what it describes as sustainable solutions. When will we see the sustainable solutions the Government has promised aimed at keeping in their homes people who previously received some assistance through these schemes? I am dealing with people who are in trouble. They took the Minister's advice and contacted their lenders and some have done deals, but they continue to find themselves in extreme financial difficulty because mortgage interest supplement or relief is not available to them. When will the promised sustainable solutions to replace these schemes be introduced and what action will be taken in the interim for those who find themselves in difficulties and are no longer able to avail of the schemes?

The Minister with responsibility for housing is working on a new action strategy for housing. The Minister for Justice and Equality is considering a new and enhanced service from the Money Advice & Budgeting Service, MABS, which would deal specifically with these issues. This will be brought forward as soon as possible. It is in everybody's interest that as many people as possible are allowed to stay in their homes. These timelines mean that an alternative service has to be produced in order that people can avail of these facilities to stay in their homes. I will update Deputy Boyd Barrett on the work that is under way. A new enhanced MABS is being considered and worked on to deal with many of these kinds of cases.