asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that many householders paying weekly instalments to a collection agency (name supplied) have fallen into arrears of payments of SDA loans, rates, water rates and hire purchase commitments due to the collapse and prospective liquidation of the collection agency; and if he will take steps to ensure that some form of licensing and indemnity is required of these agencies to prevent a recurrence of the hardship involved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Licensing of Collection Agencies.
37.
I have seen reports of this case in the newspapers of 29th January. I am having the position examined to see whether there is a case for the regulation by law of what are known as collection agencies. As theirs is a type of activity which has not previously come into prominence, although possibly growing in importance, it will be necessary to examine the nature and full extent of their operations before I can decide whether legislation is called for.
May I ask the Minister what happens to the unfortunate people who find themselves in arrears?
From the amount of checking I have done I cannot see that there is any useful action I can take at this stage arising from this problem.
Could the Minister see his colleague, the Minister for Local Government, and ask him to ask the local authorities to be lenient with these people especially in respect of the repayment of loans?
I did not know that my colleague had been anything other than lenient until now.
He could ask the local authorities to be lenient.
I will take that matter up with the Minister for Local Government.
The particular agency concerned was a small one. Would the Minister confirm that the major agencies are generally reputable and provide useful services? We would all welcome some form of licensing and indemnity. I am sure the Minister would be anxious to see that the major agencies would not be unduly affected by this particular case and the publicity surrounding it?
It might be as well for me to indicate my view now. My problem is that I am not in a position to underwrite the other agencies because I have not sufficient knowledge of them. This is a comparatively new development and I would hope that the other agencies handling this type of business are completely solvent and that there is no doubt about them from that point of view.