asked the Minister for Finance the total amount of money unclaimed from prize bond draws and the number of bond units involved; and the steps taken to locate the prize winners.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unclaimed Prize Bond Money.
21.
An amount of £13,800, representing 81 prizes, remains unclaimed from the prize bonds draws held up to March, 1973. In 40 cases, amounting to £8,900, the winners cannot be traced. In the remaining 41 cases, amounting to £4,900, the Prize Bonds Office have contacted the winners and is endeavouring to conclude payment. The number of bond units involved is 81.
Every effort is made to pay outstanding prizes and at no stage is a prizewinner regarded as forfeiting his right to a prize. The Prize Bonds Office take these steps to locate prize winners:
1. On completion of each draw notifications and claim forms are posted to the registered addresses of all winning bondholders.
2. One month later when necessary, a reminder is posted to the same address.
3. Confidential inquiries are then made through post offices and banks as to the present address of untraced bondholders.
4. The details of outstanding prizes are noted on the prize bonds register and continuous inquiries are being made to locate prize winners.
Would the Minister repeat the figure? I did not catch it.
The amount was £13,800.
Could the Minister give me an assurance that the prize bond which I purchased 20 years ago has not been lost?
I am not responsible for the inefficiency of Deputy J. Lynch.
I have the counterfoil.