If you're on a low income &  unable to repay your debts, a DRN might help

The main purpose of a Debt Relief Notice (DRN) is to help people who are on a low income, with little or no assets, who cannot repay their debts. In a DRN, all debts are written off.

Debt Relief Notice (DRN)

A DRN (Debt Relief Notice) is a formal agreement that can help you deal with your unaffordable unsecured debts, such as credit card debt, loans, overdrafts, store cards etc...

Write off debts up to €35,000
Good for people on a low income
Suitable if you have cannot afford to repay your debts
Good for people with minimal or no assets
Complete protection from creditors
Can be complete in as little as 3 years

What is a DRN and how does it work?

A DRN might be a suitable solution for you, if you cannot afford to pay your unsecured debts, such as credit cards, loans, store cards, overdrafts etc... To qualify for a DRN:

  • Your debts must not exceed €35,000 in total
  • Your monthly disposable income must be under €60
    (Disposable income is the amount of money left over after all living expenses have been considered)
  • You cannot have assets above the value of €400 in total other than a vehicle up to the value of €5,000 and one jewellery item up to the value of €750

The first thing we do when you get in touch is have a chat to see what all of your options are to addressing your debts. We will analyse your financial situation, including your debts, your household income and your expenses. This will help us work out what you can realistically afford to pay towards your debts each month, and determine what options you have available.

If you qualify for a DRN and decide that it is the best solution for you, we will signpost you to an appropriate DRN provider, such as the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) who will be able to facilitate your DRN.

Process of a DRN

Get Debt Advice

Step 1 - Get advice

Contact us for a free consultation. We will discuss you situation and explain what options you have available for addressing your debts. If you wish to proceed with a DRN, we will signpost you to an appropriate provider called an Approved Intermediary (AI). An AI specialises in facilitating DRN's.

Prescribed Financial Statement

Step 2 - PFS (Prescribed Financial Statement)

The AI will draft your Prescribed Financial Statement (PFS) which summarises  any assets, liabilities, income, expenses etc... The PFS will help your AI determine that your DRN is suitable for you.

DRN Application

Step 3 - DRN Application

Once all relevant paperwork has been completed, the AI submits your application to the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) for review. If the ISI are happy with everything, they will forward your application to the Court for consideration and approval.

DRN Application Granted

Step 4 - DRN Granted

If the Court is happy that all criteria has been met, they will grant your DRN. The ISI will record your DRN details on their public register and your DRN will take effect from the date of entry on the register. They will notify you, your AI and your creditors that your DRN has been granted.

Supervision and Completion of DRN

Step 5 - Supervision & Completion

Your DRN will be supervised for 3 years. If you have any changes in your income or financial situation during this time, you must inform the ISI. You could be required to make payment contributions towards your debts, via the ISI if there is a significant increase in income. On completion of the DRN, you will be cleared of all debts, allowing you to start over.

Pros and cons of a DRN

Pros

Write off all unsecured debt on completion of the DRN.
Complete protection from your creditors/lenders.
You do not have to make any monthly payments towards your debt, unless your circumstances change within the 3 year period.
Creditor pressure is stopped.
All interest and charges are frozen on your debts
You can exit the DRN at any stage, provided you pay 50% of the total amount of debt owed.
You will be guaranteed a reasonable standard of living during your DRN.
There is no charge for doing a DRN

Cons

Your credit rating will be impacted during the DRN.
Details of your DRN will be entered on a public register.
You can only do a DRN once in your lifetime.
If your circumstances improve during the 3 year supervision period, you are obligated to inform the ISI. You may be asked to make payment contributions to the ISI for what you owe.
Click the image to download our informative DRN guide
DRN Guide

DRN FAQs

Who can do a DRN?

You are considered suitable for a Debt Relief Notice if you meet the following conditions:

  • You are insolvent in that you are unable to pay your debts in full as they fall due and there is no possible change in circumstances for the next three years.
  • Your Net Monthly Disposable Income is €60 or less after deducting your reasonable living expenses for that month. (Living expenses will be calculated by the “Authorised Intermediary” on a case by case basis using the reasonable standard of living and reasonable living expenses provided by Insolvency Service Ireland.
  • Your debts amount to €35,000 or less in respect of qualifying debts.
  • Your Current Assets cannot exceed €400. (You are allowed 1 piece of jewellery not exceeding the value of, one motor vehicle not exceeding the value of €5,000 and necessary household equipment/tools with a combined value no greater than €6,000).
  • Your domicile must be in the Republic of Ireland, or you must have, within the past year ordinarily resided or had a place of business with the Republic of Ireland.

Who cannot do a DRN?

You are not considered suitable for a Debt Relief Notice if the following conditions apply:

  • 25% or more of your debts have been incurred for the previous 6 months
  • You have had a DRN previously
  • You are subject to a Debt Settlement Arrangement (DSA) or a Personal Insolvency Arrangement (PIA) now or within the past 5 years.
  • You are subject to a Debt Settlement Arrangement (DSA) or a Personal Insolvency Arrangement (PIA) now or within the past 5 years.
  • You have entered into certain transactions at less than market value in the past 2 years.
  • You have given preferential treatment to one creditor over another in the past 2 years (e.g. paying off a family member before your Bank or Credit Union)
  • You are Bankrupt, subject to a bankruptcy measure or have been discharged from Bankruptcy in the past 5 years.

What debts can be included in a DRN?

Debts which can be included in a DRN are:

  • Credit Card debts
  • Overdrafts
  • Personal Loans
  • Credit Union loans
  • Utility bills
  • Store Cards

What debts need authorised by a creditor to be included?

  • Taxes, duties, levies owed or payable to the state
  • Local Government charges
  • Amounts due to the Health Executive under the Nursing Home Support Scheme
  • Annual service charges to owner’s management companies ( Apartments and Housing estates)
  • Liabilities arising under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005
  • Local Authority Rates
  • Household Charges

What debts cannot be included?

  • Family maintenance payments under court orders
  • Court fines in respect of criminal offences.
  • Liabilities arising out of injury or wrongful death claims awarded by the Court
  • Liabilities arising from loans obtained by Fraud

What are the key features of a DRN?

  • Qualifying Debts cannot be greater than €35,000
  • Disposable income may not be greater than €60 Euros after living expenses have been deducted and are in line with the guidelines provided by the ISI.
  • A DRN will last up to 3 years
  • A DRN can only be obtained once in a lifetime.
  • A DRN can only be sought through an approved intermediary
  • A DRN will protect a debtor from legal proceedings and other actions by creditors during its validity period. However a secured creditor’s right to enforce security will not be affected
  • A DRN can be discharged early by paying 50% of the Debts to creditors that are specified in the DRN
  • If a DRN is successfully obtained then the name of the Debtor will be placed on a Public Register of Debt Relief Notices
  • Upon Completion of a DRN the debtors name will be removed from the Register of Debt Relief Notices
  • Debtor can have no additional Assets other than that allowed under the conditions of a DRN
  • A DRN cannot be obtained if the debtor has been involved in either a DSA or a PIA within the last 5 years
  • A Debtor is not eligible to participate in a DRN if they are currently bankrupt, are subject to a bankruptcy measure or have been discharged from bankruptcy within the past 5 years
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Other Personal Insolvency Solutions

There are range of Personal Insolvency solutions available in Ireland that all help deal with different kinds of debt. Browse the solutions below or contact us to find out your options.

Personal Insolvency Arrangement (PIA)

PIA

A Personal Insolvency Arrangement (PIA) is a formal debt solution that is designed to help protect your home and deal with unsecured debts, by way of restructure, to make room for affordability. There are several different approaches to how this can done, depending on your circumstances. Remaining unsecured debts are written off on successful completion.

If you cannot afford your mortgage payments, are facing arrears or repossession or missing debt repayments, then PIA might be a suitable solution for you.

Click the button to find out more about a PIA, or contact us for a free and confidential consultation.

Debt Settlement Arrangement (DSA)

DSA

A Debt Settlement Arrangement (DSA) is a formal solution that addresses unsecured debts, such as credit cards, loans, overdrafts etc... In a DSA, you affordable repayments are negotiated with your creditors. Any remaining unsecured debt is written off on completion.

If you are struggling with debts similar to that mentioned above, then a DSA might be a suitable option for you.

Click the button to read more about a DSA, or contact us for a free and confidential consultation and we will advise on your options.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a formal procedure that deals with unaffordable secured and/or unsecured debts over the amount of €20,000. It is usually considered as a last resort option and you have to investigate the other available Insolvency solutions, before you can go down the Bankruptcy route. Bankruptcy usually lasts for one year and debts are written off on completion.  

If you cannot repay your debts and have been deemed unsuitable for the other insolvency options, then Bankruptcy might be your only remaining option.

Click the button to read more about Bankruptcy, or contact us for a free and confidential consultation and find out your options today.

Informal Arrangement

Informal Arrangement

There are situations where a formal insolvency solution, such as bankruptcy or a structured insolvency procedure, may not be necessary to address financial difficulties. In some cases, an informal arrangement with creditors may be more suitable, allowing you to manage your debts without the formalities and potential limitations of insolvency proceedings. Informal arrangements often provide the flexibility to negotiate directly with creditors, offering a tailored approach that may involve partial debt repayment, an extended timeline or a plan to sell assets in order to discharge creditors in full.

We take a comprehensive approach, assessing your financial circumstances and exploring all available options. Our experienced team carefully evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of both formal and informal solutions, ensuring that you understand the best course of action for your situation. By focusing on a customised strategy, we can often help you achieve debt relief through informal agreements when possible. Click the button and fill in the form for free and confidential advice on your options.

General Advice on Debt

General advice

If you are experiencing difficulty with debt (secured or unsecured), but aren't sure what to do about it, then you might like some general advice. Our experienced advisors provide a listening ear and expert advice, so you can gain some clarity on how to deal with the situation.

This service is completely free of charge and will give you the knowledge required to make a suitable choice. If we cannot help you with any of our solutions, we will signpost you to an appropriate provider or charity that can help, such as the Money Advice and Budgeting service (MABS).

Click the button and fill in the form for free and confidential advice on your options..

Call 01 539 57 90 for a free consultation

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