Hope for households with mortgage arrears

More help for households with mortgage arrears could be on the way after widespread criticism of the manner in which banks are dealing with the crisis.

A review of targets, set by the Central Bank for lenders, is about to be launched as the Dáil heard 30,000 repossessions could take place by next year.

About 37,000 mortgages are in arrears by two years or more with the figure increasing despite the modest economic recovery.