asked the Minister for Social Welfare if any investigation has been carried out into the circumstances in which a bank (details supplied) in Dublin 22 was reported to have taken a deserted wife's social welfare book as security against a debt owed to the bank; if it is intended to initiate a prosecution against the bank arising from this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Book Retention.
23.
This case was publicised on radio and in the newspapers in the course of the last week in September 1987.
I take a very serious view of any instance in which a pension or allowance payment book is taken as security for any debt owed by a payee and I will not hesitate to prosecute any organisation or person for such an offence if the circumstances warrant it. Following a statement by me to this effect on 26 September 1987, the headquarters of the bank concerned, Allied Irish Banks, stated that the action taken by the Clondalkin branch was in no way in conformity with AIB's policy in relation to lending money to any individual and that branches were periodically reminded that the holding of books against loans was not lawful. The bank indicated that the event in Clondalkin was the result of an individual indiscretion in their Clondalkin branch. They also issued an unreserved apology to their customer, the social welfare claimant, for what took place. I should say also that, apart from a telephone call a day or two before the radio programme in which the event was first made public, no complaint has been made to my Department. The telephone caller did not identify the claimant.
In all the circumstances, while I am prepared to consider the matter further if a specific complaint is made, I may not otherwise initiate a prosecution in this case. I am, however, sending a copy of your question and my reply to the Irish Banks Standing Committee asking for their observations. I will consider the matter further in the light of their response.