Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 January 2017
336. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the regulatory status of personal contract plans and the regulatory status of the car finance companies offering these products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1943/17]
View answerA Personal Contract Plan (PCP) is a type of hire purchase agreement.
The Consumer Credit Act 1995 applies to the provision of hire-purchase agreements. Both the Central Bank and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) have certain functions and legal powers in relation to the regulation of hire-purchase agreements.
Any intermediary who is arranging the credit for the consumer is acting as a credit intermediary, and an intermediary arranging such credit must seek authorisation from the CCPC to act as a credit intermediary. A list of authorised credit intermediaries is available on the CCPC website www.ccpc.ie.
