Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Rolston. We looked at the area of core funding earlier. I absolutely support what he said and we, as a committee, support him. I will read into the record one of the recommendations we made arising from our last hearing. It was Recommendation 7 on back to school costs. It states that "the Minister for Education and Skills request that his Cabinet colleague, with responsibility for Credit Unions and other financial institutions, undertake a review of the lending criteria and processes with a view to eliminating the need for parents to resort to licensed moneylenders who, in some cases, can charge interest rates of 200% and a 100% equivalent in charges." In that instance, the microcredit scheme, which only some credit union branches have rolled out, is excellent. It will provide for small loans of €500 to families that may not be eligible for other loans. I raised with the Minister in the Chamber the issue that every credit union should have that for parents. I call Ms Lynch.