Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government will be bringing forward proposals in this regard. These will be effective and will deal with issues relating to the legality of moneylending and the interest rates charged. I represent and engage with constituents who are dealing with the matters to which the Deputy has referred. The Government is implementing a significant number of policies to protect those families as we come towards a Christmas that will be particularly special. What we have done with the pandemic unemployment payment, the nature of the employment wage subsidy scheme and even the decisions regarding the Christmas bonus have all been motivated by this Government's desire to do all it can to support people at a time when so many are vulnerable. As I have said, we will be bringing forward our own proposals on interest rates for short-term loans. We were conducting a survey and review in respect of this matter during 2020 but it was disrupted as a result of the Covid pandemic. I informed Cabinet on Tuesday morning that I would be bringing forward proposals in this regard, to which I hope to get agreement, in the near future.

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