Mr. Bill Cox:

The great majority of vouchers are redeemed within 12 months and vouchers that can be used across a wide range of retailers and service providers are more likely to be redeemed than those that can only be used at a single retailer or service provider. Maybe 2% or 3% of vouchers are not redeemed at all and another 2% to 3% are not redeemed in full. It is important not to get the issue out of proportion. Of those electronic money vouchers, 95% probably are redeemed in full within 12 months, or not long after 12 months. There is still an issue. The Department has had the same representations as the Chairman about vouchers being eroded quickly, particularly low value vouchers. If one has a €500 voucher-----