New group calls for measures to prevent house repossessions

A group set up to help homeowners at risk of losing their home says it should not be left up to the mortgage lender alone to decide on the future of a family's house.

The group is called the Prevention of Family Home Repossession Group and today they will put their proposals to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance and Public Service.

They are Sligo-based and their founder Barry O' Flynn is a Credit Union manager.

Thousands of people across the country are now in mortgage arrears with many facing the prospect of home repossession.

Later this morning, the ECB is expected to announce that interest rates will remain unchanged - at a historic low of 1% - but that is little comfort to those already in difficulty.