Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Central Bank has been able to provide me with the following available data on new spending during the year on personal credit cards:

2015: €8.2 billion

2016: €8.3 billion

2017 to Nov: €7.8 billion

I understand that further information on credit card numbers, sector of spend, and debit card spend and card numbers are available from the Credit and Banking Statistics, Credit and Debit card statistics webpage. Data are available in this format, on a monthly basis, from 2015 onwards.

I should also point out that the Consumer Protection Code 2012 requires that “A regulated entity must gather and record sufficient information from the consumer prior to offering, recommending, arranging or providing a product or service appropriate to that consumer.” This includes the consumer's income where relevant.

As it happens, this question is fortuitously timed because next week will see the launch of a public awareness campaign by my Department, aimed specifically at raising awareness and encouraging people to consider switching credit cards. The Deputy may recall the first phase of the switching campaign which also targeted current accounts and mortgages.

The campaign will make it clear to consumers that switching credit card is easy and encourage them to visit the www.switchyourbank.ie website for further information and comparisons of  credit cards available in the Irish market. This whole campaign is funded by contributions from AIB and PTSB as a condition of the approval of their restructuring plans by the EU Commission and there is no cost to the taxpayer.