An order providing for the commencement of certain provisions of the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 brings the following three new debt settlement arrangements into operation with effect from 31 July 2013:

• Debt Relief Notices: permitting write-offs of qualifying unsecured debts up to €20,000 subject to a three-year supervision period
• Debt Settlement Arrangements: permitting settlement of unlimited unsecured debts over five years
• Personal Insolvency Arrangements: permitting settlement of unlimited unsecured debts and secured debts up to €3 million (or unlimited with creditor’s agreement) over six years

These arrangements offer both debtors and creditors alternative methods of tackling problem debts without resorting to bankruptcy.

Contributed by Delia McMahon.

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