Change to debt relief regime raises ceiling to €35,000

People on low incomes are to have the amount of debt they can get written-off under insolvency rules increased to €35,000.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald is to bring in changes increasing the ceiling on debt relief notices from €20,000.

The notices cover outstanding amounts owed on personal loans, credit, debit and store cards, credit union loans and bank overdrafts, and once approved by courts mean that people awarded them can no longer be contacted by creditors demanding that monies are repaid.