You can't apply for any of the three yourself. A Debt Relief Notice goes through MABS; the other two go through a Personal Insolvency Practitioner. The Insolvency Service has waived its fees for all three until 31 December 2026.
Quick facts
- Debt Relief Notice
- Up to €35,000, 3 years, via MABS
- Debt Settlement Arrangement
- Unsecured, no limit, 5 years
- Personal Insolvency Arrangement
- Includes mortgage, up to 6 years
- Bankruptcy
- Over €20,000, usually 1 year
- ISI fees
- Waived to 31 December 2026
The three options
- Debt Relief Notice: for people with almost no spare income or assets. Up to €35,000 written off after 3 years.
- Debt Settlement Arrangement: unsecured debt of any size, settled over 5 years (sometimes 6) with a discount, if you can pay something.
- Personal Insolvency Arrangement: secured debt such as your mortgage (up to €3 million) plus unsecured debt, over up to 6 years (sometimes 7).
Creditors vote on the arrangements
"The DSA is a voluntary arrangement and it will have to get the support of creditors representing at least 65% of your total debt." A PIA also needs over 50% of secured and 50% of unsecured creditors.
"However, if a mortgage lender rejects the personal insolvency proposal you can apply for a court review of the rejection." Abhaile provides free legal representation for that review to eligible borrowers.
Rules for all three
"You may use each of the 3 procedures only once in your lifetime." You can only be in one process at a time, and after using one you generally wait some years before another.
Don't deliberately stop paying creditors while an application is being prepared: that can make you ineligible. Your name goes on a public register.
Bankruptcy
"Bankruptcy is a formal High Court process for people with debt over €20,000." It normally lasts 1 year. It is for when the three arrangements have been tried or don't suit.
How to start
For a Debt Relief Notice, ring the MABS Helpline on 0818 07 2000 for a free eligibility check. For a DSA or PIA, choose a Personal Insolvency Practitioner from the Insolvency Service's register at isi.gov.ie. If your home is at risk, ask MABS about Abhaile, which gives a free practitioner voucher.
Common questions
What are the personal insolvency options in Ireland?
A Debt Relief Notice (up to €35,000), a Debt Settlement Arrangement (unsecured debt, 5 years) and a Personal Insolvency Arrangement (secured and unsecured, up to 6 years). Bankruptcy is separate.
Can a personal insolvency arrangement include my mortgage?
Yes. A Personal Insolvency Arrangement covers secured debt up to €3 million, such as a mortgage, plus unsecured debt.
What percentage of creditors must agree to a DSA?
Creditors representing at least 65% of your total debt.
Can I apply for personal insolvency myself?
No. You apply through an Approved Intermediary such as MABS for a Debt Relief Notice, or a Personal Insolvency Practitioner for a DSA or PIA.
Are personal insolvency fees waived?
The Insolvency Service has waived its fees for all three debt solutions until 31 December 2026.