Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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360. To ask the Minister for Finance to clarify if Irish banks were entitled to take credit ratings from farmers and other businesses who experienced financial challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly as the financial challenges experienced during this specific period were entirely out of their control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63421/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Central Credit Register was established by the Central Bank of Ireland under the Credit Reporting Act 2013.

The Central Credit Register does not calculate a credit score, grade or rating. It provides factual information regarding the payment performance of a credit agreement, such as payments made or missed payments.

The Central Credit Register records information that is submitted by lenders on a monthly basis. A lender viewing a credit report will see the most recent credit payment history in relation to each loan.

During the COVID-19 pandemic many lenders extended payment breaks to impacted borrowers. Such payment breaks were not specifically identified on the borrower’s credit report recorded on the Central Credit Register.

Lenders make decisions on loan applications based on their credit and underwriting policies. Such decisions generally have regard to information such as details of a borrower’s assets, income, outgoings and other expenses in addition to the information in the Central Credit Register.