Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Finance the take-up to date in 2008 among individual credit unions of the enabling functions contained in section 44 of the Credit Union Act, 1997; his estimate of the overall value to the development of the prescribed social, cultural, charitable or community development purposes at local and community level, if all of the credit unions affiliated to the Irish League of Credit Unions were to adopt this section of the Act and apply it within their common bonds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40749/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Section 44 of the Credit Union Act 1997 provides that an individual Credit Union may establish and maintain a special fund to be used for social, cultural or charitable purposes, including community development. There is no requirement under the Act to report to Government, or to the Registrar of Credit Unions, on the amounts held in these special funds or the exact projects or charitable purposes supported by these funds or the individual amounts paid out. I hope the Deputy will appreciate that I am not, therefore, in a position to answer his question.

My Department has, however, been in contact with the CEO of the Irish League of Credit Unions who has confirmed that he would be happy to update the Deputy on Section 44 activity carried out by credit unions affiliated to the League.