Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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305. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount and average value of mortgages outstanding by credit unions at the end of December 2023 and the end of December 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9386/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Data provided by the Central Bank, based on extracts from unaudited information reported by credit unions, outlines the following positions as at 31 December 2023 and 31 December 2024 respectively:

2023 - The amount outstanding in house lending was €550.1m with an average loan size of €110,980.

2024 - The amount outstanding in house lending was €784.3m with an average loan size of €127,386.

Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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306. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of staff in credit unions at end-December 2023 and end-December 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9389/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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There is limited consolidated data available on the credit union sector to provide an answer to this question. On a best efforts basis, the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) estimate that there are approximately 3,000 staff employed in credit unions at present. It is estimated by ILCU that this number is unchanged, or has increased very slightly from December 2023.

Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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307. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of the implementation of recommendation 11.2 of the Retail Banking Review in relation to the reduction in the fee for the Central Credit Review. [9390/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Central Credit Register (CCR) is established by the Central Bank of Ireland under the Credit Reporting Act 2013 (the Act). The Act provides a threshold of reporting to the CCR of €500. It also provides that Credit Information Providers (CIPs) must enquire on the CCR when considering a credit application for €2,000 or greater and may enquire when considering credit applications for a lower value.

The CCR has been established on the general basis that all costs associated with its establishment and operation will be recouped over time. The Credit Reporting Act 2013 (Section 26) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 provides for a fee of €5.00 per enquiry.

However, a fee of €3.50 per enquiry has been in place for lenders since 1 July 2019 and, following a review, the Central Bank has further reduced the fee to €3.00 per enquiry with effect from 1 January 2024.

The Retail Banking Review set out a wide range of recommendations to improve the sector and customers' experiences. Each recommendation identified the body or bodies responsible for delivery of that recommendation and, where appropriate, contain timelines for delivery of the recommendations.

The implementation of the recommendations that are directed at the Banking Division in my Department were embedded in the annual business plan. My Department will, therefore, continue to liaise with the Central Bank on the on-going management and operation of the CCR, including its fee structure and reporting thresholds.

The Central Bank has committed to keeping the fee structure under review after a period of operation in light of actual usage or other relevant developments or enhancements to the CCR.

Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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308. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount, and average value, of business lending outstanding by credit unions at end-2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9431/25]

Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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309. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount and average value of business lending outstanding by credit unions at the end of December 2023 and the end of December 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9432/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 308 and 309 together.

Data provided by the Central Bank, based on extracts from unaudited information reported by credit unions, outlines the following positions as at 31 December 2023 and 31 December 2024 respectively:

2023 – The amount outstanding in business lending was €166.79m with an average loan size of €22,173.

2024 – The amount outstanding in business lending was €182.46m with an average loan size of €23,681.