Civil Debt (Procedures) Act 2015

The Civil Debt (Procedures) Act 2015 (No. 28 of 2015) provides for the attachment of earnings or deductions from social welfare payments, as appropriate, for the purpose of the enforcement of debts to which the legislation will apply. In order to avail of the provisions the creditor must first have obtained a court judgment in respect of the debt. The debt must be more than €500 and less than €4,000 in value. The Act also makes provision for the abolition of imprisonment of debtors for non-payment of civil debts. This implements one of the key recommendations of the Law Reform Commission in this area and fulfils a commitment in the Programme for Government. The provisions of the Act will be commenced shortly. ](Procedures) Act 2015 (No. 28 of 2015) provides for the attachment of earnings or deductions from social welfare payments, as appropriate, for the purpose of the enforcement of debts to which the legislation will apply. In order to avail of the provisions the creditor must first have obtained a court judgment in respect of the debt. The debt must be more than €500 and less than €4,000 in value.

The Act also makes provision for the abolition of imprisonment of debtors for non-payment of civil debts. This implements one of the key recommendations of the Law Reform Commission in this area and fulfils a commitment in the Programme for Government.

The provisions of the Act will be commenced shortly.