Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

There is already a comprehensive licensing system in place for moneylenders. Moneylenders have to apply to the Central Bank annually to have their licences renewed. Section 93 of the Consumer Credit Act 1995, as amended, sets out the Central Bank's powers in regard to the grant or refusal of a moneylender's licence. The appropriate moneylending application form - new or renewal - must be completed and returned to the Central Bank with a number of items for review and consideration.

In addition to the licensing system, the Central Bank has in place a consumer protection code for licensed moneylenders. The Central Bank has power to impose sanctions on moneylenders for a contravention of the code. The code sets out general principles with which a moneylender must comply. For example, a moneylender must act honestly and professionally with due skill, care and diligence in the best interest of consumers. The code also places requirements on moneylenders in regard to the provision of information to the consumer, preservation of a consumer's rights, knowing the consumer, suitability, unsolicited contact, or cold calling, disclosure, errors, handling complaints, consumer records, unsolicited credit facilities, arrears and guarantees, debt collection and the contents and presentation of advertisements.

On 18 February 2011, the Central Bank published the results of a themed inspection of licensed moneylenders. The inspection showed a high level of compliance with the requirements of the code among firms. Inspections were conducted in 11 of the 46 licensed moneylenders currently operating in Ireland. The inspections focused on whether consumers were being charged in accordance with the moneylenders' authorised APRs - that is, their annual percentage rates - and costs of credit as set out in the moneylenders' licences. It also examined whether firms had their licences on display and whether they indicated the high-cost nature of loans on loan documentation issued to consumers, as required by the code. Overall, the inspections found a high level of compliance with the requirements and that consumers were being charged in accordance with the moneylenders' authorised APRs and costs of credit. In addition, firms had their licences on display and indicated the high-cost nature of loans on loan documentation issued to consumers.

I expect that in future the annual regulatory performance statement of the Central Bank will refer to the regulation of moneylenders. This statement will be presented to each House of the Oireachtas. The Central Bank Reform Act 2010 provides that a committee of the Oireachtas may request the Governor of the Central Bank or the head of financial regulation to attend before it and provide information relating to the regulatory performance statement. This will allow Deputies the opportunity to seek relevant information on regulatory matters, including the regulation of moneylenders.

See this speech in context