Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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71. To ask the Minister for Finance the complaints process for a customer availing of a personal contract plan to finance a purchase of a car; the number of complaints made in each of the past four years; the number of these complaints which were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29403/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware it is not appropriate for me to comment on or become involved in an individual borrower's dispute with a financial service provider. 

On the issue more generally, if a customer has made a formal complaint to the financial service provider in question and is not satisfied with the outcome, then the matter should be referred to the Financial Services Ombudsman.

The Financial Services Ombudsman investigates, in an impartial and independent manner, complaints from individual customers and small businesses who have unresolved disputes with financial service providers which are either regulated by the Central Bank or, are subject to the terms of the Consumer Credit Act 1995.  All personal customers, unincorporated bodies, charities, clubs, partnerships, trusts, and limited companies with a turnover of €3,000,000 or less can complain to the Ombudsman.

Investigations by the Financial Services Ombudsman are free of charge to the customer.

The Ombudsman has informed me that since January 2017 they began collecting data regarding Personal Contract Plans (PCPs) and to date no complaints have been received.