APIP and Tipperary Debt Experts (PIPs) Launch Website to Raise Debt Solutions Awareness in Ireland ahead of New Bankruptcy Term

On Wednesday (2nd December 2015), the Association of Personal Insolvency Practitioners (APIP) launched its rebrand and new website (www.apip.ie) at its annual AGM and conference at the Portlaoise Heritage Hotel.  The new initiative by APIP is to raise awareness of debt solutions in Ireland for people who need a fresh start from debt.  At the AGM, new APIP committee members were appointed for 2016 followed by a personal insolvency update from Lorcan O’Connor, Director of the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI).  APIP is a national association of over 80 members nationwide with five members who are personal insolvency practitioners (PIPs) in Tipperary.

APIP’s Tipperary-based personal insolvency practitioners (PIPs) are Frances O’Hanlon of Hibernia Insolvency Solutions, John O’Connor of Hibernia Insolvency Solutions, John Lupton, Shelagh Marshall of Firm Advice and John M. Lynch of Lynch Solicitors.

Speaking at the launch, Eric Hendy, Chairman of the Association of Personal Insolvency Practitioners (APIP), said; “The low uptake in insolvency arrangements, to date, reflects a lack of awareness about the system, rather than a system that doesn’t work.  As part of our rebrand, the new APIP website is a platform for us to increase engagement with all of our stakeholders and strengthen our debt solutions communications strategy nationwide.”

Since the court review provisions commenced last week, APIP has filed for the first court appeal on a plan that was voted down by creditors.  Eric Hendy, Chairman of APIP said; “The government is making changes in the right order; by first strengthening the personal insolvency system and then having the balance of a shortened bankruptcy term.  We should, however, be less concerned about a stampede to bankruptcy due to the new appeals process (in personal insolvency).  We can still expect a quadrupling in bankruptcy cases when the term is reduced to one year.  The fear now is that the courts service won’t be able to handle the increased caseload.”

At APIP’s annual AGM, the 2016 committee was appointed with new members Eugene McDarby of Money Village, and Paul Carr of Market House Insolvency Services, joining existing members Eric Hendy of R Hendy and Co., Tara Cheevers of ACO Financial and Business Solutions, John E V Kenny of Providence Insolvency Practitioners,  and Mitchell O’Brien of Insolvency Resolution Service.

The rebrand and website were undertaken by Will Quigley, web designer and developer at Trinity Seven Studios, and Orla Clancy, media and communications consultant, digital editor and writer, at Orla Clancy PR (OCPR).