Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Finance the value of outstanding loans lent by Irish-based legal moneylenders as notified to the Financial Regulator in 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21730/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I have been advised by the Central Bank that the information requested by the Deputy is not available. There is no legal requirement on licensed moneylenders to prepare or to submit audited accounts to the Central Bank. The end of the year accounting period for financial accounting purposes varies from moneylender to moneylender.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of Irish-based moneylenders registered with the Financial Regulator in 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21731/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I have been advised by the Central Bank that the number of licensed moneylenders registered in each of the years was as follows:

Year Number of Licensed Moneylenders

2008 53

2009 52

2010 46

2011 46 (as at 30 June 2011)

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Finance the levies paid by moneylenders to the Financial Regulator in 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21732/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I have been advised by the Central Bank that the amount of levies paid to the Bank by moneylenders in the years 2008 to 2010 inclusive is as follows:

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Year Levy amount collected

2008 €162,000

2009 €244,000

2010 €257,000

The information for 2011 is not yet available.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of illegal moneylending operations the Financial Regulator, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, have investigated and have charges been brought against in the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21733/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that persons operating as illegal moneylenders are in breach of the law. It is a matter for An Garda Síochána to investigate their activities. Under Section 98 of the Consumer Credit Act 1995 (as amended), An Garda Síochána have sole responsibility for the investigation and prosecution of such offences. The Central Bank has no powers in this regard. If the Bank has reason to believe that a person is operating as an illegal moneylender, the matter is reported to An Garda Síochána. I will check with my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, on whether or not data is available in this regard and have the information sent to the Deputy.