Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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292. To ask the Minister for Finance the engagement he had with the Central Bank with regard to the provision of advice or support to persons who have been sold mortgages by unregulated and unlicensed mortgage providers operating within the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22104/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Central Bank has advised that its website sets out information on the types of entities which require an authorisation to provide credit, including mortgages, to consumers in the State such as credit institutions, credit unions and retail credit firms. It also sets out information on entities which require an authorisation to advise on and intermediate between mortgage credit providers and consumers on the provision of mortgages in the State i.e. mortgage credit intermediaries.  The Central Bank’s website also includes registers of all firms regulated by the Central Bank.

The Central Bank encourages consumers to take the 'SAFE' test which can be found on the consumer section of its website under the paragraph "Explainer – How can I avoid a financial services scam? " before dealing with financial services firms.  In particular, it advises that consumers assess the information which is being presented with, to make sure the financial services firm they are dealing with is legitimate and to check the Central Bank's registers to see to see if the firm is authorised to carry out a financial services regulated business in the State. 

The Central Bank has a dedicated unit, the Unauthorised Providers Unit, which investigates alleged instances of unauthorised activity carried out by individuals or entities that are not authorised or regulated by the Central Bank.  Members of the public can report alleged instances of unauthorised activity through the Central Bank’s website or directly by telephone.  Details for making reports can be found under the Regulation section of the Central Bank website (paragraph Unauthorised Firms). All instances of alleged unauthorised activity are investigated in full by the Central Bank. The Central Bank is bound by strict statutory obligations of confidentiality and is, therefore, precluded from commenting on the specific investigations it undertakes.