Ms Lorraine Corcoran:

The Deputy asked about volumes but we do not have direct figures for volume of lending on the ground. I am chair of the Credit Union Advisory Committee and I am familiar with how credit unions are performing. Lending volumes have had an impact from Covid, and this was seen throughout all lending organisations over the course of last year and up to now. We suspect that moneylending organisations probably experienced the same effect of a decrease in lending when restrictions took place as the ability to purchase goods declined or the likes of communions or holidays did not happen. However, that volume has kicked back up again. Provident's public statements indicate that although lending was down last year, it is beginning to tick up again. We assume that pattern is being followed.