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-          Waiver now applies until 31 December, 2023

The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, T.D., announced today that she has consented to the making, by the Insolvency Service of Ireland, of Regulations to continue the waiver of personal insolvency application fees for a further 3 years, until 31 December 2023.

Welcoming the waiver extension, the Minister said,

“Continuing the waiver of fees for personal insolvency applications is a small but important step in the Government’s recognition of the real financial difficulties faced by many households, and our ongoing efforts to help remove barriers for mortgage holders and others who wish to avail of personal insolvency solutions.”

The Government first waived all fees payable to the Insolvency Service, and to the Courts, on applications for personal insolvency solutions in 2014. This was done in response to concerns that such fees could pose financial hardship for those already struggling with debt, and could act as an obstacle to people applying for help under the Personal Insolvency Acts.

The Minister noted that,

“The Insolvency Service of Ireland has always worked to encourage the take-up of, and engagement with, personal insolvency solutions. A reintroduction of fees would run contrary to such efforts at a time when many are affected by the economic impact of the COVID pandemic and worried about potential economic risks arising from Brexit.”

“The overall benefits to be gained from getting debtors back to solvency, helping people to get back on with their lives again, far outweigh the loss of exchequer income from a waiver of fees over the next three years.”

Following a previous extension in 2017, which was also for a three-year period, the waiver will be extended for a further three years, until 31 December 2023.  The position will be re-evaluated in 2023, in the light of the overall economic situation of those seeking to deal with their debts and return to solvency.