Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 204: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will investigate reports of financial exploitation of elderly people by a group (details supplied). [21503/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In my role as Minister for Finance I am responsible for the legislative and policy framework for the regulation of financial services, including the safeguarding of the interests of consumers. Within that framework the Financial Regulator is responsible for the regulation of individual financial institutions and for protecting the interests of consumers in line with its statutory consumer protection mandate.

Any complaint about the conduct of any individual financial institution which is believed to contravene the Financial Regulator's Consumer Protection Code (CPC) should be brought to the attention of the Financial Regulator for further investigation. Regulated financial service providers who are found to have breached the CPC may be subject to financial or other sanctions imposed by the Financial Regulator. In addition, the Deputy may wish to note that the Financial Services Ombudsman can investigate complaints from individual customers who have unresolved disputes with regulated financial services providers.