Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the claim made by a person (details supplied) that lack of consumer awareness was costing the consumer almost €1 billion per year; his views on this estimate; the steps he is taking to promote greater consumer awareness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25416/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Consumer Strategy Group in its recently published report, Make Consumers Count, estimated the loss or damage experienced by consumers when purchasing goods or services that do not meet their requirements, are faulty, over-priced or sub-optimal to be in the order of approximately, €810 million per annum or €204 per person per year.

In compiling this figure for consumer detriment, the group had regard to factors such as consumer income, impact and frequency of purchase, place of delivery, availability of dispute procedures, vulnerability, time availability, etc. Given the subjective nature of some of these factors, the group itself accepts that it is difficult to accurately calculate a precise figure for consumer loss.

Notwithstanding the difficulties in calculation, I have no doubt that the extent of consumer loss in this country is very significant. The Deputy will be aware that the Government has already approved the main recommendation of the Consumer Strategy Group, namely, the establishment of a new statutory body, the National Consumer Agency, to advocate on behalf of consumers. The core functions of the National Consumer Agency will include statutory functions in the areas of consumer advocacy, information, education and awareness.

I recently appointed a board to the new agency to act in an interim capacity until the NCA is established on a statutory basis. The interim board has been requested as part of its terms of reference to engage in targeted consumer awareness campaigns. I understand that the board is currently developing proposals for launching such campaigns later this year.

I entirely agree with the Consumer Strategy Group that raising consumers' consciousness and awareness is most important in terms of ensuring that the levels of consumer loss in Ireland are significantly reduced. I am confident that the interim board of the National Consumer Agency will have a key role to play in this regard as will the agency itself when it is formally established.