Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 16 May 1996

Vol. 465 No. 5

Written Answers. - Consumer Credit Act, 1995.

Helen Keogh

Question:

13 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the arrangements, if any, being made in the office of the Director of Consumer Affairs to prepare it for the implementation of the Consumer Credit Act, 1995. [9947/96]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

As the Deputy may be aware I officially opened the new headquarters of the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs on 13 May at 4-5 Harcourt Road to coincide with the entry into force of the Consumer Credit Act, 1995. It is planned to open new public offices in Dublin and Cork shortly.

The Director's principal function under the Act are: to seek redress in the courts for breaches of the legislation; to direct lenders to withdraw or modify credit advertisements; to provide advice, guidance and information to consumers on their rights under, and on the workings of the Consumer Credit Act; to license moneylenders; to authorise persons to act as credit intermediaries or mortgage intermediaries; to investigate information given on the credit status of consumers and to curtail and regulate bank customer charges.

In order to advise consumers of their rights and entitlements, the Director has produced a booklet entitled a "Rough Guide" to the Act which containes two help-line numbers, within the new office. A copy of the guide is being circulated to the Deputy. The Director also intends shortly to compile a general guide to the Act by way of a series of leaflets which shall cover individual issues such as APR, mortgages, moneylenders, etc.

I am hopeful that arrangements can be made soon to implement the Government sanction I secured for the additional staffing of the office in connection with the enforcement of the Act.