Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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206. To ask the Minister for Finance the discussions his Department has had with the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs regarding the investigation of the establishment of a local public bank network here as committed to in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9946/17]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (DAHRRGA) has primary responsibility for the investigation of the German Sparkassen model of local public banks that operate within well-defined regions, as provided for in the Programme for Government.

The investigation of the potential of local public banking by DHRRGA is ongoing. Officials from my Department met with officials from DAHRRGA in late 2016 and again this month and following these meetings, DAHRRGA has developed a programme of work to examine the feasibility of the Sparkassen model, as well as other models of local public banking.

At present, DAHRGGA is engaging in a consultation with stakeholders and interested parties to obtain their views on this issue.  The Department of Finance is continuing to provide input, assistance and support to DAHRRGA, as requested.