Mortgage arrears continue to fall

The total number of mortgages in arrears over 90 days that have not been restructured stood at 43,746 at the end of December, compared with 48,043 at the end of last September, according to figures released by the Department of Finance.

The total number of mortgages in arrears fell from 96,115 to 89,476 over the same period. The total level of mortgages in arrears over 90 days is 62,266, which is a 1,930 drop on the previous month. There were 27,210 mortgages in arrears less than 90 days.

A total of 18,520 mortgages have been restructured, with 14,319 deemed to be permanently restructured.