Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 21: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Central Bank of Ireland has any evidence of a growth in the number of illegal money lenders operating here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9907/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Central Bank have advised me that according to their surveys they estimate that approximately one third of money lenders licensed by the Central Bank are aware of people acting as illegal moneylenders and that 11% of respondents to one of their customer surveys were aware of people acting as illegal moneylenders. Persons operating as illegal moneylenders are in breach of the law. It is a matter for An Garda Siochana to investigate their activities. Under Section 98 of the Consumer Credit Act 1995 (as amended), An Garda Siochana have sole responsibility for the investigation and prosecution of such offences. The Central Bank has no powers in this regard. If the Bank has reason to believe that a person is operating as an illegal moneylender the matter is reported to An Garda Siochana.