Approval is expected at cabinet today of a €15m scheme to help those in mortgage arrears.

Justice Minister and Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald is introducing the plans which will see free legal, accounting and insolvency aid.

The measures will be implemented by The Money Advice and Budgeting Service – known as MABS.

Michael Culloty is their spokesperson: “Why would you not access professional, dedicated mortgage advice, personal solvency practitioners, free legal, free accountancy,

“And then you decide what you want to do, so you have nothing to lose here and possibly everything to gain.”