The Government is vowing to tackle the mortgage arrears crisis ahead of the next general election.

The Irish Times reports that the government is working to expand the mortgage to rent scheme, so that people with difficulties repaying their mortgage can switch to renting their home as social tenants.

Officials are also examining the possibility of allowing borrowers in mortgage distress to appeal settlements from Insolvency Service Ireland to an independent panel.

Just over 110,000 private residential mortgage accounts were in arrears at the end of last year - 14.5 per cent of all accounts.