Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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475. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the proposed legislation to tackle the issue of expiry dates on gift vouchers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45115/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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On 12 June 2018, the Government approved the drafting of the Unfair Contract Terms (Gift Vouchers) Bill 2018. The Bill provides, firstly, that gift vouchers must be valid for a minimum term of five years and, secondly, that the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation would have power to make regulations setting fees for the issue and replacement of gift vouchers and for inactive balances on gift vouchers (commonly referred to as dormancy or maintenance fees).

Following the Government decision, my Department launched a public consultation on 19 July seeking information and views on gift voucher fees in order to assist in future decisions on the level of fees, if any, that should apply. Views were also sought on the proposed expiry date provision and in particular on any difficulties which it might present for businesses issuing certain types of gift voucher. Twenty-three responses were received from consumers. Twenty-nine responses were submitted by businesses, business associations, consumer bodies and public representatives.

Officials of my Department are currently working on the text of the Bill with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. I expect to be in a position to publish the Bill in the coming weeks.