merrion street

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton today outlined supports of €542m available under the Department’s Mortgage Interest and Rent Supplement Schemes in 2011.

The Mortgage Interest Supplement Scheme aims to provide short term support to help people repay interest on their mortgage on their home. The number of families receiving help under the scheme has increased by almost 340% in the last three years.

There are currently 18,679 households benefiting from the Mortgage Interest Scheme and the Department has provided €77.2m for 2011 an increase of almost €12m from 2010.

Minister Burton said:

The premise behind the mortgage interest supplement is to support families who have suffered a loss of income and may be unable to meet the mortgage repayment on their family home. Mortgage arrears are a growing problem and while the lending institutions have a responsibility to engage with borrowers, a safety net is available and my Department is helping an increasing number of families in a very meaningful way

In addition provision has also been made for some €465m in Rent Supplement payable to over 96,000 people in 2011. Rent Supplement is paid to people living in private rented accommodation who cannot provide for the cost of their accommodation from their own resources.

Further details in relation to either the Mortgage Interest or Rent Supplements are available on